Usman Salisu (Basira) has emerged as Chairman of the Nasarawa State Football Association (NSFA) after defeating his opponent Haliru Ibrahim (Zee) in the election held on Saturday, 4th November 2023, at the Keffi Local Government Area Secretariat, Nasarawa state.
According to the results announced by Barr. Haruna Iliyasu, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Salisu polled a total of twelve (12) votes to defeat Haliru Ibrahim who got four (4) votes out of a total of eighteen (18) votes cast.
The result was announced in the presence of two representatives from the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, (Chairman, Kano State Football Association cum Chairman, NFF Technical Committee), Dr. Rabiu Inuwa Ahlan and (Head, NFF Member Association cum Special Duties), Ali Abubakar Mohammed.
In the Vice Chairmanship position, Ibrahim Adamu Shigafarta garnered sixteen (16) votes against Aliyu Zanwa to emerge winner by the interpretation of the law that the latter candidate hails from the same Zone as the new Chairman.
The trio of Nuhu Abdulhamid, Ismaila Agah and Bashir Ibrahim were elected unopposed by virtue of the interpretation of the law from Akwanga Zone, whereas Nasir Na’Ali (11 votes) and Abubakar Gambo (13 votes) from Lafia Zone, as well as Segun Akeusola (16 votes) and Matthew Dodo(14 votes), emerged victorious from Keffi Zone, respectively.
Barr. Abdullahi Bello of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, administered the Oath of Office to the new Board Members.
Speaking after the inauguration, the new Chairman said “It was a long journey whose end had come”, adding that “It’s a new dawn for football development in the State.”
While thanking those behind his victory at the poll, the former Management Member of Nasarawa United FC said he and his Board will hit the ground running, and would extend an olive hand to those who lost for the growth and development of football in the State.
Meanwhile, the representative of the Nasarawa State Government and Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Isaac Danladi, congratulated the new Chairman and his Board as well as all the contestants for daring to try.
“The election was very peaceful. I congratulate all the winners and losers alike.
“They should both work together for the development of our football because the stage is large enough to accommodate everybody. However, I wish to admonish the new leadership to work as a team and carry other key stakeholders along.”
He commended the now-dissolved Nasarawa State Football Normalisation Committee formerly headed by Hon. Aliyu Bello, for ensuring a free, fair and credible electoral process.
“In all honesty, what we have seen today deserves commendable. Winners have emerged and there are also losers.
“We reiterated our position as a Government that we don’t have any preferred candidate and that we would work with anyone who emerges for the sake of developing football in the State.”
Representative of the Nigeria Football Federation’s President, Rabiu Inuwa Ahlan, who presented the Certificate of Return to the new Chairman congratulated him and his Board on the historic victory, commending the Normalisation Committee Members for delivering on the mandate assigned to them.
He explained that “The process was transparent, free from rancour and very successful.”
Ahlan disclosed that the leadership of the NFF would work together with the Nasarawa State Football Association to develop grassroots football and create opportunities for young talents to discover their full potential.
Before the dissolution of the Normalisation Committee, Hon. Aliyu Bello, had thanked the leadership of the NFF for finding him and other members of the Committee worthy to coordinate the process of electing new members into the Board of the Nasarawa State Football Association.
He also appreciated Governor Abdullahi Sule and the Nasarawa State Government for providing the right atmosphere for the Committee to carry out its duties successfully.
The former Normalisation Committee Chairman opined that he and his members would continue to lend necessary support to the new leadership of the State FA to succeed.
Executive Chairman, Keffi Local Government Area, Hon. Mohammed Shehu-Baba, expressed gratitude to the Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led Board of the NFF for the choice of Keffi for the election.
He said it was the confidence reposed in him and the people of Keffi that fueled his passion to provide the best environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, adding that Keffi would continue to prove to the world why it is one of the best places to invest in.
The tenure of the Usman Salisu Galadima-led Nasarawa State Football Association’s Board is four years.
The State Commissioner for Youth Sports Development, Hon. Jafaru Ango, received the newly elected Chairman of the Nasarawa State Football Association, Usman Salisu (Basira), at New Keffi Hotel, Keffi.
The Commissioner congratulated the new Chairman and his Board and wished them well in the task ahead even as he pledged the support of the Nasarawa State Government to the new Board for the development of football in the State.
Similarly, Members of the Nasarawa State Football Association (SWAN), Congratulates the newly elected NFA, under Usman Salisu (Basira), his Vice, Ibrahim Shigafarta as well as other members of the new Executive.
In a statement sign by the secretary, Smart George, and made available to journalists said, “your emergence speaks volume given the expectations that lies ahead and it is on this premise, that SWAN, Nasarawa State Chapter wishes you fruitful tenure in office as well awaits purposeful transformation in the round leather game”.
“The Association is equally committed to partnering with your executive with a view to achieving your Mandates which includes grassroots Football Development just as the Association Congratulates the Normalization Committee for Concluding their assignment given to them by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)”.
He further said that the Association wish to draw the attention of the new Executive to the need to join hands with the Government, relevant Stakeholders in the Industry, and Opponents in the poll to ensure that only the interest of the state is protected for the overall development of the game.
