Former international, Harrison Jalla, yesterday, drew the attention of the world football governing body, FIFA, to what he described as undue interference ahead of the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) election.

In a letter addressed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, through the General Secretary of the body, Jalla alleged that there are underground steps by the leadership of the NFF to arm-twist Nigerians in the process leading to the forthcoming election.

“My name is Prince Harrison Jalla, and I am a critical stakeholder in Nigerian football,” he said. “My attention, and that of other stakeholders, has been drawn to a notice dated September 14, 2025 from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), signed by Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the General Secretary, regarding a purported congress slated for September 25, 26, and 27 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State of Nigeria, which a FIFA delegation is expected to attend.

“The import of this FIFA delegation’s visit is to rubber-stamp a cosmetic amendment to the electoral process, one that continues to sustain the fraudulent and undemocratic structure where charlatans emerge every four-year cycle as leaders of Nigerian football.”

Jalla continues: “This entrenches corruption and aids the free fall of Nigerian football, using FIFA as a cover. In light of the above circumstances, I respectfully inform FIFA that the electoral process of the Nigeria Football Federation is currently subjudice, arising from disputes in the September 2022 NFF elections. These are being fiercely contested by relevant stakeholders and members of the five federating units that make up the NFF, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1376/2021 and Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1006/2002.”

Jalla reminded FIFA that Articles 2 and 15 of the FIFA Statutes, and Articles 18 and 30 of the NFF Statutes, clearly define how the statutes can be amended.

“This is a purely internal issue, not within the purview of FIFA. It is mind-boggling that, despite several complaints by Nigerian football stakeholders regarding the misappropriation, misapplication, and massive corruption associated with FIFA annual grants, FIFA Forward 1 and 2 grants, and several other streams of funding.

“FIFA has deliberately shielded corruption in Nigeria for the last 10 years. Yet, FIFA is always quick to storm Nigeria every four-year cycle to oversee NFF elections that are consistently characterised by fraud, massive vote-buying, and other electoral malpractices.”

In his conclusion, Jalla stated that since parties have already committed to the Nigerian judicial process, it would be contemptuous of Nigerian law if any third party—either by commission or
omission—attempts to circumvent or undermine our judicial process.

“The consequences would be direct criminal contempt proceedings against any party, including FIFA officials,” Jalla stated.