‘Your Plans Will Fail, Gusau Is Coming Back,’ Gara Gombe Declares

By Ado Salisu

Sports administrator and football stakeholder, Alh Gara Gombe, has dismissed attempts to remove Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Alh Ibrahim Musa Gusau, insisting that those plotting against him will not succeed.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja Gombe said Gusau remains the legitimate leader of the NFF and expressed confidence that he would complete his tenure despite criticisms of the current administration.

According to him, Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup should not be blamed solely on the present NFF leadership.

He noted that previous administrations also failed to secure World Cup qualification but were given another opportunity to continue in office.

“We may fail to qualify for the World Cup, but that does not mean the NFF leadership should be changed. Football development is a process, and people should assess the facts rather than allow sentiment to guide their opinions,” he said.

Gombe argued that Gusau inherited several challenges and should be given adequate time to implement reforms before his administration is judged.

He also alleged that some individuals were attempting to destabilise the NFF by using tactics similar to those employed during previous football administration crises, including efforts to force leadership changes through external interference.
“It will not work.

Gusau is not going anywhere. He will come back because the process is different now, and football administration must be allowed to remain stable,” he stated.

The outspoken football administrator also condemned the threats and insults directed at him over his support for the NFF president, saying he would always express his opinions based on conviction rather than personal interests.

Gombe maintained that he has no personal agenda or desire for political appointments, stressing that he would continue to speak out whenever he believes football administrators or government officials are performing well or falling short of expectations.

He added that while he supports Gusau’s leadership, he would not hesitate to criticise the NFF president if the administration fails to improve Nigerian football during a second term.