Executive board members of the Ondo State Football Association, and other football stakeholders in the state have disassociated themselves from comments made by chairman Otunba Dele Ajayi on the NFF president Amaju Pinnick.
Ajayi, a former NFF member, on a radio programme alleged Pinnick of financial wrongdoings and ‘mismanagement’ while boasting to have evidences to back his claims on the Nigeria Football Federation lack of financial transparency.
However, his board members have condemned the assertions tagging it as ‘malicious’, ‘false’ and an ‘unreasonable bother on the NFF’s integrity’.
In a communique signed stakeholders of Ondo state FA after an emergency meeting, the stakeholders conveyed their indefatigable support for Pinnick-led NFF board.
“Otunba Dele Ajayi is the Chairman of Ondo State Football Association. Notwithstanding, we the major football stakeholders in the State outrightly dissociate ourselves from damaging comments made by Otunba Ajayi on an Akure-based radio programme on Sunday, January 20, 2019. The comments albeit malicious, false and unreasonable bother on the integrity of the Nigeria Football Association (NFF) led by Mr Amaju Pinnick,” the statement read.
“Our resolve on the issue is based on the account of the clean bill of health in the audit report of PriceWaterCoopers, a firm respected for its uncompromising professionalism in accounting. It also took into consideration the unprecedented achievements of the NFF under Mr Pinnick.
“We acknowledge the fact that Ondo State football has begun to enjoy relative peace since Barrister Seyi Akinwumi led a strong NFF team to find a long lasting solution to the crisis which had befallen the State FA. Ever since the team’s meeting, the stakeholders have heeded the advice of the NFF vice chairman to eschew bitterness for the sake of football and prosperity.
“We members of the State football stakeholders are peace loving and respect a constituted authority. We pledge our unalloyed and unwavering support for the NFF and equally pledge our allegiance to Mr Pinnick and the board members.”
