The President of Osun State-based Nationwide League One (NLO) side, Hammola International FC, Mr. Muhydeen Oladele Odeyemi, has expressed unequivocal support for the decision of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Nationwide League One (NLO) to declare the Progressive Club Chairmen Forum an illegal body within Nigerian football.
The NFF and the NLO, in a jointly issued statement, clarified that the Progressive Club Chairmen Forum is neither recognised nor authorised to make claims regarding league governance. The NLO, which operates under the authority of the NFF to oversee grassroots football, reaffirmed that all its activities are strictly guided by established NFF statutes.
According to the statement, neither the NFF nor the NLO acknowledges the Forum as an official or delegated body. It further stressed that league operations are governed exclusively by the rules and regulations of the NFF. The football authorities also made it clear that no mandate has been granted to the Forum to function as an advocacy group, spokesperson, or representative of clubs participating in the league.
The statement emphasised that individual clubs maintain their participation through formal affiliations with their respective State Football Associations and the league structure, in line with constitutional provisions on freedom of association. Consequently, the Progressive Club Chairmen Forum lacks the legal standing to represent these clubs or interfere in league administration.
Reaffirming their commitment to transparency, the rule of law, and proper governance, both bodies urged all stakeholders to respect established boundaries and engage only through officially recognised channels.
Reacting to the development in a telephone conversation, Mr. Odeyemi declared his full alignment with the position of the football governing authorities.
“I stand 100 percent with the decision of the NFF and the NLO. It is the right step towards ensuring order, legality, and proper governance within the league structure,” he said.
Mr. Odeyemi further questioned the legitimacy of the leadership of the Progressive Club Chairmen Forum, specifically referencing its current chairman, Prince Chidiebere Nwaeze.
He stated that Prince Nwaeze had previously stepped down from his role as Chairman of Cynosure FC, a development he claimed was acknowledged among club chairmen.
“Prince Nwaeze resigned as Chairman of Cynosure FC, and this was communicated in our WhatsApp group with evidence available. It raises serious concerns why he continues to hold on to the position of chairman of the Progressive Club Chairmen Forum after stepping down from his club role,” Odeyemi added.
Reports had earlier confirmed a leadership change at Cynosure FC following the resignation of Prince Nwaeze, with Mr. Nwaeze Christian subsequently appointed as the new Chairman. The transition marked a new administrative phase for the club, as it repositioned for continued participation in the Nationwide League One.
While acknowledging that Prince Nwaeze had been involved in previous controversies, including allegations of match-fixing, it was also reported that the NFF Appeals Committee later set aside a six-month ban earlier imposed on him, describing the petition as unsubstantiated.
Despite this, Mr. Odeyemi maintained that the governance of Nigerian football must remain within the framework established by the NFF and its recognised leagues.
He reiterated that all stakeholders must align with the statutory authorities to preserve the integrity, structure, and development of the game at all levels.
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 side, Hammola International FC, Mr. Muhydeen Oladele Odeyemi, has expressed unequivocal support for the decision of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Nationwide League One (NLO) to declare the Progressive Club Chairmen Forum an illegal body within Nigerian football.){kind=link}