1980 AFCON winner and former Nigeria midfielder, Olusegun Odegbami has vowed to stop the upcoming NFF Elective Congress scheduled for September 26, 2026.
Odegbami criticized the current structure of the NFF, accusing it of disproportionately empowering State FA chairmen while limiting the influence of key stakeholders including players, coaches and referees in decision-making processes.
He insists that the existing framework must be reformed before any elections can proceed.
The former Green Eagles star did not rule out taking legal action, stating that he is prepared to approach both the National Assembly and the courts to halt the electoral process if necessary.
“We have made state football associations registered members of the Nigerian Football board they are not members, members are stakeholders they are the coaches players referee medical personnel and so on.
“Those that registered with Nigerian football association to participate in their competitions; the state football association are organs of that main body in the state. They are absolutely independent they don’t have anything to do with the national FA except those that registered to participate in their competitions to go up there.
“That’s how it was, but, for political agenda we one day converted them into members so they will vote one of their own to lead the body. To do the amendment is possible because they can remove power from themselves that’s why in my retirement age now, I am not interested in contesting, I am a valid stakeholder I want to do what is right or to right what has been wrong.
“So, it may take some drastic step. We know there’ll be elections very soon in the next couple of months my intention is to stop the elections till the right things are done, how do you stop it? By going to the National Assembly and get them to act or I could go to court.”
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Odegbami emphasized that his actions are not politically motivated, clarifying that he has no intention of contesting for any position within the NFF.
Instead, he maintains that his objective is to correct structural imbalances and ensure fairness in Nigerian football governance.
The development sets the stage for potential legal and administrative battles ahead of the NFF elections, with growing attention on the governance structure of football in Nigeria.
