The Senate has summoned the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, and the Nigerian Football Federation boss, Amaju Pinnick to appear before its Committee on Sports.
The upper chamber said Dare and Pinnick would explain the reasons for the abysmal poor performances of the Super Eagles in the just concluded qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The duo was also expected to explain the reasons for the destruction of the Moshood Abiola stadium by the irate football fans, the extent of damage, and the cost of repairs.
The chamber mandated the committee on sports to investigate the remote and immediate cause of the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2022 World Cup despite the huge fund from the government, individuals, and corporate bodies.
The panel was also asked to Investigate the vandalization of facilities at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in the aftermath of the Super Eagles of Nigeria’s failed bid to qualify for the FIFA 2022 World Cup.
The panel was subsequently mandated to Invite the Nigeria Football NFF, the minister of Youth and sports, and relevant agencies involved with the maintenance of the MKO Abiola stadium to assess the extent of the vandalization,
The resolution was a sequel to a motion moved by the Senator representing Ebonyi North, Michael Nnachi.
His motion was titled, “Vandalization of facilities caused by irate football fans at the MKO Abiola National Stadium on Tuesday, March 29 following the failed bid by the Super Eagles to qualify for the FIFA World Cup scheduled to take place by Nov. 2022 in Qatar.”
Nachi recalled that Nigeria’s national team, the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the FIFA 2022 Cup after losing to Ghana even though the match ended 1-1.
Part of his motion read, “Aware that violent reaction by irate football fans reportedly took place in the aftermath of the Nigeria vs Ghana qualifier leading to vandalisation of facilities in the stadium and loss of life including the unfortunate death of a Zambian and FIFA-CAF anti-dopping medical officer.
“The national stadium was jam-packed with highly expectant Nigerian football fans throughout the controversial match and the alleged violent reaction of those fans to the outcome of this match has become a subject of local and international media criticism.
“Concerned that a lot of valuable facilities at the stadium were destroyed but the extent of destruction is yet to be determined by the relevant government authority.
” There is no gainsaying that the destruction will cause the government of Nigeria several millions of naira to either replace or effect repairs.
“Apart from several unidentified football fans who were injured as a result of this incident, the death of doctor Joseph is a huge loss to the global football community.
“Convinced that there is an urgent need for the senate to investigate and ascertain the remote and immediate cause of the vandalisation, the extent of the damages and the number of victims who were injured.”
