In a display of what many are calling a blatant disregard for the rules, Elkanemi Warriors fielded newly signed players during their opening match of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL season against Enugu Rangers, despite being barred from doing so by the Nigeria Football Federation NFF. This incident has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the league and the enforcement of NFF rulings.
Elkanemi Warriors, along with several other clubs, had been prohibited by the NFF Players Status and Arbitration Committee from registering new players or transferring existing ones due to outstanding contractual obligations to former players. Specifically, Elkanemi Warriors were ordered to settle debts amounting to N750,000, 1.65 million naira, and 1 million naira owed to Bala Yusuf, Emmanuel Adoyi, and Suleiman Sodiq, respectively.
Despite this ruling, the NPFL and the Club Licensing department of the NFF allowed Elkanemi Warriors to register and issue licenses for 12 new players. These players, including Adamu Bajibir from Kwara United and Bilay Yakubu from relegated Doma United, were featured in the season opener against Enugu Rangers.
This move has been widely criticized as a failure of the NPFL to uphold the integrity of the league. Notably, the NPFL Chief Operations Officer, Davidson Owumi, NPFL Chairman and NFF First Vice President, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, and NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, were all present at the match, yet no action was taken to address this violation.
The incident has prompted calls for the NFF to enforce its rulings and restore confidence in the Players Status and Arbitration Committee. Failure to do so, critics argue, will erode trust in the system and leave players without recourse for justice.
As the season progresses, the NFF is urged to ensure that other clubs facing similar sanctions, such as Enyimba, Abia Warriors, and Akwa United, are not allowed to field new players without first settling their debts.
Editorial
The situation involving Elkanemi Warriors and the NPFL highlights a critical issue in Nigerian football the need for strict enforcement of rules and regulations to maintain the integrity of the league. When a club is allowed to blatantly disregard a ruling from the NFF Players Status and Arbitration Committee, it sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the very foundation of the sport.
The presence of top NPFL and NFF officials at the match, where these violations were openly displayed, only adds to the gravity of the situation. Their silence and inaction send a troubling message that rules can be bent or ignored with impunity. This not only harms the credibility of the league but also jeopardizes the trust players place in the system to protect their rights.
For Nigerian football to thrive, there must be accountability at all levels. The NFF must act swiftly to rectify this situation, ensuring that all clubs adhere to rulings and that any official who facilitated this breach is held accountable. The integrity of the league depends on it.
Did You Know?
- The Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL is the top tier football league in Nigeria, but issues of governance and rule enforcement have often plagued its operations.
- The NFF Players Status and Arbitration Committee is responsible for resolving disputes between players and clubs, but its effectiveness is undermined when its rulings are not enforced.
- Elkanemi Warriors, based in Maiduguri, have faced financial challenges in recent years, leading to disputes with players over unpaid wages.
- The NPFL has seen several instances of clubs being sanctioned for failing to meet contractual obligations, but enforcement has been inconsistent.
- The integrity of a football league is crucial for attracting sponsors, fans, and talented players any perception of corruption or mismanagement can have long term negative effects on the sport.
