After weeks of tussle over the chairmanship of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at its annual general assembly quashed the election that brought Davidson Owumi (pictured) into office.
SuperSport.com was informed that the executive committee of the Nigerian FA recommended to its general assembly holding in the southern town of Nigeria in Uyo that the election of Owumi as Premier League chairman be annulled.
This development means that Owumi ceases to be the chairman of the Premier League until a fresh election is conducted into the office of the chairmanship.
The football federation executive committee adopted the recommendation of the arbitration panel chaired by Akin Ibidapo-Obe.
A communiqué issued at the end of the congress read: "The committee considered and upheld the 21st June, 2010 award of the Professor Ibidapo Obe Arbitration Tribunal set up by the Nigeria Football Federation on the Nigeria Premier League leadership tussle.
The NFF executive committee has therefore ordered for fresh elections to be conducted into offices of chairman of NPL and chairman of chairmen of NPL within 14 days and in full compliance with the NPL statutes.
"The remaining NPL board members should continue to run the affairs of the NPL without let or hindrance in the ongoing 2010/11 Premier League season."
Owumi told SuperSport.com that he will not challenge the decision to annul the election that brought him into the NPL chairmanship office.
"There's no problem with the decision. I thank God for what has happened. I accept the decision and look forward to the future," said Owumi.
Chairmanship candidate of the annulled election, Victor Rumson Baribote, expressed happiness at the decision and described it as victory for football administration in the country.
He added that the rule of law has finally prevailed saying that he will not stop at making sure the statutes are followed to the letter when the re-run for the NPL vacant seat takes place in two weeks.
“The full weight of the rule of law has taken place. It is not a personal victory but victory for football and football administration as well as victory for the rule of law and for those I represent," said Baribote.
Owumi's ouster from office leaves the vice chairman, Shehu Gusau, in acting capacity as chairman of the Premier League.
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