The powerful chairman of the technical committee of the embattled Nigeria Football Federation [NFF], Taiwo Ogunjobi, has denied any attempts by the body to engage the federal government of Nigeria in a power tussle.





Ogunjobi declared that it would be "crazy" to contest the authority of the government that funds the federation, insisting that the executive committee was prepared to stand down, especially as they had completed their tenure.





"We are not dragging powers with anybody because we have done our term and are ready to hand over to whosoever gets duly elected in the next elections." Ogunjobi told the Nigerian Vanguard in a telephone interview Friday.





"We can never drag powers with government, which funds us, because we are responsible individuals who place the interest of the nation, above, ours."





In its bid to reorganise and restructure football in Nigeria, the Nigerian president, on Wednesday, banned the national team from international competitions for two years and dissolved the NFF board.





It also instituted an 11-man technical caretaker committee to run the affairs of the federation. However the world football governing body FIFA has frowned at both actions, warning that if the decisions were not reversed by Monday, Nigeria would be suspended from FIFA.





Ogunjobi however confessed that the interests of Nigeria were paramount and that, unlike the popular view held by the public, he was not holding the nation to ransom by refusing to resign from the executive committee.





"The truth of the matter is that this country belongs to all of us and it is not proper for anyone to hold the nation to a ransom. After serving the country, it is time for us to give others the chance to contribute their quota to national growth." Ogunjobi pleaded.





"It is only a lunatic who would be fighting with the government of the day because after all, most of us, are beneficiaries of government's favour, as far as membership of the board is concerned.





"Government funds football and has every right to give inputs into how things should be done if it notices that the interest of the nation is being compromised.





"I have advised the other members of the Executive Committee, to listen to the people's voice, which is that they need a change of leadership.





"Our tenure has actually ended and we are ready to make way for the caretaker panel, which is what the Nigerians want. I think, it is only reasonable for us to respect the wishes of the people".

o.k now this people are ready to quit jonathan should cancel that ban now, because it is no more nff problem. how can you ban tornaments, what would nigeria youths turn into, kidnappers,thiefs jonathan better cancel that ban ohh ahhh another golden generation is coming to naija football

It's not over yet. The rest of the board of the NFF must leave their posts as well. Until they do Jonathan should keep the ban in place.

The Nigerian Football Federation's top two officials have been sacked in a bid to appease the country's president who suspended the team after the World Cup.

NFF President Sani Lulu and vice-president Amanze Ugbulam were fired as the federation asked president Goodluck Jonathan to reconsider his ban.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8786834.stm