By: Ganiyu Olayinka
The Presidency has reportedly settled on Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) AbdulHakeem Uthman Mustapha as its preferred candidate to head a proposed normalisation committee for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Mustapha is being considered for the role of interim NFF president and chairman of the committee, which is expected to oversee the administration of Nigerian football for an initial period of three months.
The reported development follows the resignation of NFF president Ibrahim Musa Gusau and other board members, a situation that has raised questions about the federation’s leadership and the process for establishing an interim administrative structure.
However, the reported choice of Mustapha should be distinguished from a formally announced appointment, pending confirmation by the relevant authorities.
Who Is AbdulHakeem Mustapha?
Mustapha is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with experience in the legal and administrative structures of international football.
According to a profile published by Nigerian sports news platform Sports Village Square, he serves on FIFA’s Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Committee and previously served as president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Committee.
His reported involvement in football governance could be relevant to efforts to establish an interim administration capable of engaging with FIFA and CAF while addressing the challenges surrounding the NFF’s leadership.
Any proposed normalisation arrangement would, however, need to comply with the applicable football governance rules and receive the necessary recognition from the relevant authorities.
Rival Candidate Reportedly Loses Out
The report also indicates that Mustapha emerged ahead of an experienced football administrator from Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone.
The rival candidate was reportedly backed by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike but had less support from the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC).
The reported choice suggests that consultations over the proposed interim leadership may have involved competing interests among political figures and sports administrators.
Further clarification is needed on the final appointment, the composition of the proposed normalisation committee, and the arrangements for its mandate.
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