Lagos FA crisis: Impeachment of LSFA Chairman, Oki constitutional, says Akanni

Posted : 25 March 2024

Waheed Akanni, a former Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), weighed in on the crisis that has engulfed the LSFA, describing the impeachment of the erstwhile Chairman, Fuad Oki, as constitutional.

Akanni, in an exclusive interview regarding the actions of the LSFA Congress and the board executives, stated that the impeachment followed due process.

News filtered in on Saturday that the embattled former LSFA Chairman, Oki, was impeached by 12 members of the LSFA at a congress held at Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The vice chairman of the LSFA, Liameed Gafaar, was then elected to replace the sacked chairman, Oki.

However, Akanni said that having 12 out of the 14 members that comprised the LSFA congress present to impeach Oki was logical enough.

"The answer is simple; we had 12 out of 14 LSFA members present at that impeachment process, and we also had 10 of the board members who dissociated themselves from the activities of the former chairman.

"That goes to say that if we should ask if the impeachment went through a legally approved process, I would say that the majority of those in charge of football activities in Lagos were together to carry it out.

"For me, I am not personally involved in the day-to-day activities of the LSFA, but logically, I believe that it makes sense that due process was followed.

"We had 12 members of the congress and 11 executive board members present, and the Federation also participated in the process. To be honest, that is logical and due process followed," he said.

Akanni, a former Nigeria international, said that if there had been division in the LSFA whereby the congress could not form a quorum, then it would have been another story.

"If only two or three members had showed up at the congress and impeached the Chairman, then it would have shown that there is division in the house.

"However, the majority showed up, while those who could not show up sent in their signatures to show solidarity.

"If we have a leader that failed to have the majority of the congress in support, then it is obvious of the consequences," he said.

Regarding the way forward for the LSFA, Akanni advised the LSFA to focus on grassroots development of football, which he emphasized as the bedrock of football development in the state.

The LSFA should embark on the revival of grassroots football to keep the youths off the streets.

"The LSFA should develop age-grade competitions, such as U-9, U-10, U-13, and U-17; they need more support.

"The LSFA should also adhere to the rules and regulations of the NFF; a situation where they would want to dissociate from the activities of the FA is not acceptable; instead, they should align with the programs.

"The LSFA should also support non-league competitions as well," he said.

Lagos FA crisis: Impeachment of LSFA Chairman, Oki constitutional, says Akanni

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