Settle your differences with aggrieved parties, FIFA tells NFF

[FILES] The FIFA logo is seen outside the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, December 17, 2015. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich<br />

• Minister, candidates, and others meet today over Federation elections • They risk going to jail, says PFAN

World Football governing body, FIFA, has reportedly advised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to reconcile its differences with aggrieved parties ahead of its elective congress scheduled for Benin City, Edo State on September 30.

Nigerian football has been in turmoil for the past two weeks, with legal battles casting doubts on the chances of the NFF elections holding as scheduled.

A Federal High Court in Abuja, led by Justice Inyang Ekwo, recently stopped the NFF election, ruling that all parties should maintain the status quo. He adjourned further proceedings until October 31.

His order followed a suit filed by the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) against the NFF over unequal representation of all the five statutory bodies that make up the NFF in terms of voting rights and representation on the board, its congress and committees.

Another group, known as Nigeria Football Stakeholders, has also threatened to ‘bomb’ the election venue in Benin City, if the poll is not cancelled.

In a letter signed by Dogogo Johnbull and addressed to Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, the group warned that ‘blood will flow’ if they refuse to heed their demand. It claimed that the present NFF board, headed by Amaju Pinnick, committed so many atrocities.

The Guardian learnt yesterday that the NFF wrote to FIFA, alleging interference from several quarters in the build-up to its election in Benin City.

“FIFA actually replied NFF, who wrote to them that there is interference. But FIFA told them to