Iloenyosi rejects reported role on NFF normalisation committee

Chikelue Iloenyosi has rejected any involvement in a reported Nigeria Football Federation normalisation committee, saying his name was included without his knowledge or approval. The chairman of the Anambra State Football Association has also separated himself from the list circulating in connection with the proposed body.

Iloenyosi said he was neither approached about the nomination nor involved in preparing the document. He maintains that he has not accepted, supported or agreed to serve on a committee overseeing the NFF, and that the appearance of his name must not be treated as evidence of an appointment.

The issue has emerged as uncertainty grows around the NFF’s electoral timetable. The National Sports Commission is reported to be seeking a halt to the election planned for September while considering a temporary committee to manage the federation during the dispute over its administration.

The NFF had been preparing for an elective congress in Lafia, Nasarawa State. Electoral and appeals committees were inaugurated earlier in the year as part of the arrangements for the vote, making any interruption to that process a significant change for Nigerian football.

FIFA has not confirmed that a normalisation committee will be installed. Any decision to suspend or replace the existing electoral process would also raise questions about the independence of the NFF, a principle covered by FIFA’s rules for national associations.

The proposed intervention follows criticism of the NFF leadership and a series of setbacks involving Nigeria’s national teams. For now, Iloenyosi’s position is that he has no connection with the reported committee and that the circulating list should be disregarded where it identifies him as a participant.