5 Major Supporters Clubs Expose ‘Fake Coalition Group’ Masquerading As Stakeholders
By Joseph Odoekwu, KSM
Five major football supporters clubs in Nigeria have raised the alarm over statements issued by one Alh. Kolawole Akinsanya Esq, claiming to be Secretary of the “Coalition For Sports Stakeholders Rights.”
In a press statement signed on Monday by the presidents of the five CAC-registered clubs, the groups clarified key issues surrounding the Interim Management Committee, IMC, and the ongoing NFF Reform Agenda.
The five Presidents however advised the public to desist from a ‘coalition’ operating illegally under the umbrella of “Coalition For Sports Stakeholders Rights.”
“In the interest of transparency, integrity, and the general public, we conducted due diligence and wish to state as follows,” the statement read.
Lack of Legal Standing:
Our findings show that the said “Coalition For Sports Stakeholders Rights” is not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020. By extension, the body is not a legal entity and therefore cannot lawfully represent or speak for stakeholders as it claimed. We expect that a body playing advocacy role should do so in line with the law just as the five Supporters clubs are duly registered.
The statement further clarified the concerns raised by the ‘fake’ coalition group, noting that the media, general public and entire football community deserve to be enlightened.
On IMC Mandate
The clubs explained that the Interim Management Committee was set up by the NFF with the support of the NSC, and comprised six independently CAC-registered Supporters Clubs.
They stated that the mandate “to unify and conduct one election” was not realizable because CAC-registered entities cannot be dissolved, merged or deregistered by an NFF committee.
On Post-Mandate Responsibility
The clubs further stated that upon expiration of the IMC’s tenure, it was the duty of the NFF and NSC, as the constituting authorities, to review or issue fresh directives.
According to them, This did not happen.” They added that the defunct IMC, while preparing to conclude on its mandate, was overtaken by the failure of the Super Eagles to secure a FIFA World Cup ticket, putting the entire country into crisis before the recent mass resignation witnessed by the Gusau-led administration.
On Our Meeting of Sept 5, 2026
The five presidents clarified that their meeting of September 5, 2026, was not held under the auspices of the IMC.
“We met as concerned stakeholders and as leaders of five independent, CAC-registered Supporters Clubs to align with the ongoing Federal Government reform and to demand inclusion,” the statement read.
To further buttress this, the five Presidents said they have set up two committees to align with the NFF Reform agenda.
On Representation
The clubs stressed that they do not claim to be the IMC.
“Our demand is that as stakeholders who mobilize millions of fans and have sustained Nigerian football for decades, we must be carried along in the reform process. Stakeholder status is derived from contribution and legal existence, not from an expired transitional arrangement,”the statement added.
The signatories to the statement are: Rev. Samuel Ikpea, President, NFSC; Prince Vincent Okumagba, President, SESC; Alh. Kemi Ogunfuwa, President, FFCN; Barr. Johnson Dagana, President, ASSC; and Hon. Sunny Gullong, President, NESC.
