FCT NLO Club Chairmen Disassociate From Progressive Chairmen Forum
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nationwide League One (NLO) Club Chairmen have formally distanced themselves from the purported NLO Clubs Progressive Chairmen Forum, reaffirming that the Nationwide League One remains the sole custodian of grassroots football in Nigeria.
In a communiqué issued after a meeting held in Abuja, the chairmen declared their full allegiance to the statutes governing the league, stressing that any group operating outside the framework of the NLO lacks legitimacy.
They described the so-called Progressive Club Chairmen Forum as “unpopular and illegitimate” among NLO clubs in the capital city.
The meeting, which was attended by representatives of over 33 NLO clubs in the FCT, expressed strong reservations about the intentions behind the formation of the forum.
According to the chairmen, the agenda of the group appears to have been conceived without proper consultation and does not align with the developmental goals of the league.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the North Central representative on the NLO Board, Barrister Babatunde Akintade, emphasized that all activities of the league are guided strictly by the statutes of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
He noted that the NFF derives its authority from its Congress, which remains the highest decision-making body in Nigerian football.
Akintade maintained that the forum does not operate under the authority of either the NFF or the NLO, and as such, FCT-based clubs do not recognize its existence or activities. He added that the clubs would resist any attempt to disrupt the smooth organization of the league season.
The chairmen reiterated their commitment to the approved governance structure of the NLO, as outlined in statutes ratified by the NFF Congress.
They also underscored the powers of the league’s Secretariat to disregard any group falsely claiming to represent NLO clubs.
Reaffirming their position, the FCT NLO clubs pledged continued adherence to Articles 8 and 9 of the league statutes, which mandate all registered clubs to comply fully with NLO rules and the broader NFF regulations.
They concluded by urging all stakeholders to remain focused on the development of grassroots football and to avoid actions that could undermine the integrity and progress of the league.
