Enyimba Football Club have listened to portions of a media briefing in Port Harcourt held by the Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Boma Iyaye on the final standings of the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League season – and wish to state categorically that the statements of Hon. Iyaye are reckless and inexcusable.
The suggestion by Hon. Iyaye that the visit of the NFF President, Mr Amaju Pinnick to Abia State has in some way influenced the ratification of the final standings of the league is an intolerable slander on the Federation, the President and the Government and people of Abia State. Mr Pinnick is a free Nigerian, allowed to travel without restraint to any part of the country and his visit to Abia State to wish well the state governor and friend of his, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu who has just recovered from Covid-19 is well within his rights.
Also, Mr. Pinnick has close relationships with many state governors, including the governor of Rivers State whom we have great respect for, and has paid them visits in his individual capacity. As a result, his visit to Abia State should never be questioned.
Overall, this attempt to cast aspersions on the integrity and honour of the administrators of the LMC and the NFF is vile and shockingly disgraceful. It is part of a worsening diatribe from various individuals linked to Rivers United that must end immediately. The brand of the NPFL has been under extraordinary assault for too long and it has to end. No club is greater than the league and no matter how aggrieved, it must use appropriate channels to seek redress. This media onslaught, these threats and defamation of character cannot continue.
Rivers United and Enyimba have a close friendship and even the Governors of the two states share a common bond of unity and progress. It is unkind that the name of United is being dragged through this and we call for everyone to show a commitment to the peace and development that the league so earnestly needs. Enough of the vituperation.
For us Enyimba, our pedigree is evidence that we are not being favoured at all. We have competed at the highest levels and have won fairly, our record breaking collection of trophies. If we had our way we would have the 2019/2020 season end with all matches played, however we respect the decision of the LMC and the NFF and will commit to the final standings based on the weighted PPG model.
Once again, we call for respect, we call for dignity and a commitment to the processes that have underpinned the success of the Nigeria Professional Football League.
