Gusau’s Resignation: Ogunfuwa Sues for Peace, Calls for All-Inclusive Restructuring to Change Face of Supporters Clubs

Gusau’s Resignation: Ogunfuwa Sues for Peace, Calls for All-Inclusive Restructuring

NaijablaseTv ( Ettah Emmanuel O.)

A prominent voice in the Nigerian football supporters’ movement, Ogunfuwa, has appealed for peace, unity and reconciliation among stakeholders following the resignation of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, from his position.

Ogunfuwa, while reacting to the development, said the current situation should not be allowed to further deepen divisions within the supporters’ clubs, stressing that the moment provides an opportunity for stakeholders to come together and initiate an all-inclusive restructuring of the supporters’ clubs system into the restructuring of Nigerian football as recognised by FIFA.

According to her, supporters remain an integral part of Nigerian football and deserve a properly organised, united and professionally managed structure that can contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the game.

The multiple award winning Matriarch called on the various supporters’ clubs, their leaders, football administrators and other relevant stakeholders to put aside personal differences and embrace dialogue, saying the future of the Fans’ movement must be built on unity, transparency, fairness and mutual respect.

Mama Nigeria, as Ogunfuwa is fondly called, noted that fans have historically played a crucial role in motivating Nigeria’s national teams, particularly during major international competitions, but expressed concern that internal disagreements and fragmentation have sometimes prevented the movement from achieving its full potential.

She therefore advocated a restructuring process that would accommodate all genuine and recognised supporters’ clubs, while establishing clear standards for membership, leadership, representation, accreditation and participation in national-team activities. The five statutory bodies recognised by FIFA as witnessed in global best practices are :players Unions,  Supporters Clubs, Coaches Association, Referees Association and Sports Writers Association with annual support offered to them through their federating members by World governing body.

The National President of Football Fans Club of Nigeria said the restructuring should also introduce mechanisms that would ensure that supporters’ clubs are properly represented in decision-making processes affecting their activities. Ambassador Kemi Ogunfuwa said:

“This is a time for peace, unity and reconciliation. We must stop looking at our differences and begin to look at what unites us as supporters of Nigerian football."

“We Supporters ’ clubs need an all-inclusive restructuring that will bring everybody together and give the movement a new direction. We need a system where every genuine fan has a sense of belonging and where leadership is based on competence, integrity and inclusiveness.”

The Lagos based business tycoon further stressed that the supporters’ movement should move beyond merely attending matches and cheering national teams, arguing that supporters could become important partners in football development, grassroots mobilisation, fan engagement and the promotion of Nigerian football in line with global best practices 

Former Lagos State Women's football committee member also called for greater collaboration between the NSC, NFF, the supporters’ clubs and other football stakeholders, noting that a properly structured fans’ movement could help improve the atmosphere around national-team matches and strengthen the connection between the teams and their fans.

According to her, the objective of the proposed restructuring should not be to victimise or eliminate anyone, but rather to build a stronger, more united and credible supporters’ movement capable of standing the test of time.

She urged whoever is coming on board to embrace constructive dialogue, insisting that the interest of Nigerian football must remain paramount.

Ogunfuwa maintained that the resignation of Gusau, irrespective of the circumstances surrounding it, should not become another source of division among supporters, football stakeholders, rather, it should instead serve as a wake-up call for stakeholders to rethink and rebuild the supporters’ movement 

She concluded by urging supporters across the country to remain peaceful, patriotic and committed to the national teams, saying:

“the time has come to change the face of fans clubs. Let us unite, restructure and build a supporters’ movement that Nigeria will be proud of.” She submitted

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