Chris Giwa on Monday reported at the secretariat of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to assume office as substantive chairman of the federation.
Giwa told journalists that his assumption of office was in line with the ruling of the Supreme Court on June 5, 2018.
He said that the court had nullified the parallel election held in Warri by the former chairman, Amaju Pinnick, and upheld him as the chairman.
“I am here to claim my mandate as the substantive chairman elected on August 26, 2014.
“We waited for the other board to finish the preparations for World Cup so that we can assume office,” Giwa said.
READ ALSO: World Cup: Brazil send Mexico out
The federation boss promised to embark on reconciliation of all aggrieved members for the success of the federation.
He explained that Nigeria’s sovereignty could not be threatened by any foreign interest, saying NFF operated in tandem with the country’s constitution.
He said he was grateful to God for making it possible for “us to reclaim our mandate and we shall give Nigerians good results.”
Chris Giwa was said to have been elected chairman of NFF on August 26, 2014, but the election was not recognised by FIFA.
FIFA eventually supervised another election on September 30 in Warri, Delta State after it had threatened to ban Nigeria from all its activities.
Amaju Pinnick eventually got elected with 32 votes out of the 44 votes and stepped into office.
Following the development, Giwa pursued his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports, where he lost and was banned from football related activities by FIFA.
However, the Supreme Court on June 5, 2018 set aside Pinnick’s election and recognised Giwa as substantive chairman.
