Arewa youths have backed Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau ahead of the federation’s September 27, 2026 election in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The group has called for fairness, due process and strict adherence to the NFF Statutes and Electoral Code during the election.
Speaking in Abuja, the group’s spokesperson, Sa’ad Mohammed, said stakeholders should assess the Gusau-led administration based on its record rather than focus only on Nigeria’s recent football setbacks.
“Football, as the world knows it, is a game of preparation, discipline, strategy and ability – and, importantly, a game of chances,” Mohammed said.
The group’s position follows criticism of the NFF leadership after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, the Arewa youths said the World Cup failure should not alone determine the outcome of the election.
The group also referred to the NFF Extraordinary General Assembly held in March 2026, where members approved amendments to the federation’s Statutes and Electoral Code and established the Electoral Committee and Electoral Appeals Committee.
The coalition also cited a vote of confidence in the Gusau-led Executive Committee during the assembly.
Meanwhile, the Arewa youths rejected attempts to link President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the NFF election.
The group said the football federation should manage its internal affairs without political interference and urged stakeholders to follow the rules governing the election.
“It is therefore neither responsible nor helpful to associate the Presidency with, or create the impression of Presidential involvement in, the NFF electoral process without credible evidence,” the group said.
The coalition also defended the North’s right to seek leadership positions within the NFF.
“We are not standing against another region. We are standing for ours,” the group said.
Gusau’s current Executive Committee will complete its four-year tenure in September 2026.
Ahead of the election, the Arewa youths urged eligible stakeholders to respect the electoral rules and allow delegates to choose the federation’s next leadership.
The group also called for a free, fair, transparent and credible election when NFF delegates meet in Lafia on September 27.
