2026 NFF Presidential Election: Contesting Under Current Statutes Will Be Futile-Marcello Anyanwu
By Sportsgister
UAE-based Nigerian football coach and administrator Marcello Anyanwu has criticised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over its continued reluctance to amend the federation’s statutes ahead of the 2026 NFF elections.
Anyanwu, a former Arsenal Soccer School coach at the Dubai Training Centre and a contestant in the last NFF presidential election, said the current electoral structure gives disproportionate influence to State Football Association chairmen and makes it difficult for other qualified candidates to mount a serious challenge for the NFF presidency.
Speaking on the need for reforms ahead of the election, Anyanwu said the existing arrangement could make the presidential contest an exercise in futility for aspirants who do not have the backing of the dominant voting bloc.
“Contesting for the NFF presidency under the current structure will be an exercise in futility if you don’t have the support of the State FA chairmen,” Marcello said.
According to him, the problem is not about individual candidates but about the structure of football administration in Nigeria and the need to create a more inclusive and transparent system.
“This is bigger than personal ambition. It is about the future of Nigerian football and creating a system where every important stakeholder has a voice,” he added.
The former NFF presidential contestant believes the statutes should be reviewed before the 2026 elections to address what he described as an imbalance in the composition and voting power of the NFF Congress.
The Congress, which is the highest decision-making body of the federation, includes representatives of State Football Associations and various football stakeholder groups.
However, Anyanwu argues that the numerical strength of the State FA chairmen gives them overwhelming influence during elections and major decision-making processes.
“When one group has such a dominant voting strength, it becomes difficult for an independent candidate or someone with a different vision to compete effectively,” he said.
He believes the current arrangement can discourage credible football administrators from contesting because the outcome may be heavily influenced by pre-election alliances.
Anyanwu also called for greater representation of players, coaches, clubs, referees, women’s football administrators and grassroots football stakeholders within the NFF decision-making structure.
“Football does not belong to the FA chairmen alone. It belongs to the players, coaches, clubs, referees, administrators, supporters and millions of Nigerians who contribute to the growth of the game,” he said.
He maintained that a broader representation of stakeholders would encourage fresh ideas and create a more competitive environment for football administration.
“We need a system that gives everybody a meaningful voice. If we want Nigerian football to develop, we cannot continue to operate with a structure that concentrates too much power in the hands of a few,” Marcello stated.
Beyond the electoral process, Anyanwu wants broader reforms in the administration of Nigerian football, including improved transparency, accountability and stronger checks and balances.
He also believes leadership tenure should be examined to ensure that football administration does not become dominated by the same individuals and networks for extended periods.
“There must be transparency in our elections and accountability in the way the federation is managed. We must also create opportunities for fresh ideas and new leadership,” he said.
With the NFF election approaching, Anyanwu believes the federation has an opportunity to address the concerns surrounding its statutes before the electoral process begins.
He urged the NFF to review its governance framework in accordance with applicable FIFA requirements and recognised principles of good sports governance.
“The 2026 election is an opportunity to correct what is not working. We should amend the statutes before the election and create a level playing field for everyone,” he said.
Anyanwu stressed that the objective of the proposed reforms should not be to favour any particular candidate but to strengthen the institution and improve the credibility of Nigerian football administration.
“This is not about Marcello Anyanwu. It is about Nigerian football. Whoever eventually becomes NFF president should inherit a system that is fair, transparent and representative,” he added.
As preparations for the 2026 NFF elections gather momentum, the debate over the federation’s statutes and electoral structure is expected to intensify.
For Anyanwu, however, the message remains clear: meaningful statutory reform must come before the election if Nigeria wants a genuinely competitive and inclusive contest for the leadership of its football federation.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
