Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has described the recent corruption allegations against the Nigeria Football Federation by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) as both sickening and shameful.
Speaking via his X handle on Monday, the former Governor of Anambra State described FIFA’s recent revelation about the mismanagement of funds released to Nigeria’s Football Federation for stadium development and youth talent growth as a reflection of Nigeria’s deeper malaise.
According to him, it perfectly mirrors the broader decay in how the country’s scarce natural resources are handled, adding that further investigations will reveal even worse realities than what most Nigerians currently know.
”While we continue to grapple with insecurity, poverty, and the rising unemployment among our youths, the most heartbreaking reality remains the entrenched corruption that permeates every facet of our nation – especially in the critical sectors that could help lift Nigeria in these challenging times.
Obi recalled several unfulfilled promises from the Nigerian soccer governing body during his time as Governor of Anambra State, after Awka was selected as one of the six geographical locations for the construction of a FIFA-standard stadium.
‘I recall vividly that during my time as Governor of Anambra State, I received officials from the Sports Federation who visited and informed us that Awka had been selected as one of six geographical locations for the construction of a FIFA-standard stadium to be fully-funded by FIFA. We immediately allocated land for that purpose, and they assured us that the project would be executed through the Federal Ministry of Sports. That was the last we heard of it.
”Believing that such a major project was underway, we channelled our resources toward constructing mini-stadiums across the state to encourage grassroots sports.
“We commissioned the Chuba Ikpeazu Memorial Stadium in Onitsha, as well as the Godwin Achebe Stadium in Onitsha South, among others. Years later, nothing came of the promised FIFA project, which prompted us to initiate the construction of the Awka Stadium ourselves. Seeing the recent news about funds released by FIFA to Nigeria to develop talent and improve youth sports, I am deeply disappointed by such blatant squandering of opportunities,” he wrote.
Obi defended his decision to raise the alarm about the rising tide of corruption across every facet of the Nigerian system, stressing that those who accuse him of “demarketing” Nigeria for speaking the truth and exposing corruption are the very ones who thrive on corruption and deceit.
”The real demarketers of Nigeria are the incompetent leaders who have forged their way to wealth through the mismanagement and theft of public funds – resources that should have been used to provide schools, healthcare, and employment for our youths and to nurture their talents,” he added.
He revealed that the NFF has reportedly received about $25 million from FIFA and CAF since 2013 for the development of football and youth sports in the country, with little or nothing to show for it. Obi also described the so-called $1.2 million stadium in Kebbi State as a national embarrassment, pointing out that the structure in no way reflects the funds claimed to have been spent on it.
