Abia State government sponsorship of two teams in NPFL, Enyimba, Abia Warriors, is illegal 

Fresh crisis is looming in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), as Chikelue Iloenyosi, the chairman of the Anambra State FA has vehemently opposed the continued participation of Enyimba Fc and Abia Warriors, stating that the two teams must merge as one, reports www.totorinews.com.

According to the former Super Eagles player, both Enyimba of Aba and Abia Warriors are under Abia state government which fund their football activities and it is against the football law for the teams to ply their trade in the NPFL together.

“I want to let people know that there’s law in everything we are doing in Nigeria and we are supposed to respect the law. No two clubs under the umbrella of one ‘Holding Company/State Government/Individual Owner shall be eligible to participate in the same League’ is what the law says,” Iloenyosi told the media in Abuja.

“Abia state government have two teams in Enyimba and Abia warriors, under the law, no government is supposed to have two teams playing in the same league. The legal aspect of our football laws frowns at this.  

“Enyimba and Abia warriors are supposed to be merged as one team, so let us now start to do the right thing because the government that’s in power now is a government of integrity that wants to get things right.

“So, I called this medium to let people know that I will be writing a petition to the people running the league, the minister, NFF, CAF and FIFA”

He further said that as the chairman of Anambra State FA, he has been getting support from the NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau for his grassroot football activities in Anambra State.

“I am here standing as the Chairman, Anambra Football Association to support and make sure Ibrahim Musa Gusau look into this matter and make sure Abia State government does not have two teams playing in the league, because under the law of CAF and FIFA it’s not supposed to be.

“NFF President is very impressed and supportive of grassroot football tournaments being organised in Anambra State. He is a man of integrity and a lover of grassroot football.

“I want the right thing to be done in our football. Some years ago, we had Sharks FC and Dolphins Fc both from Rivers State competing in the NPFL, but no longer today.

“Rivers state merged both clubs together. Abia Warriors or Enyimba FC are supposed to collapse their teams and become one as stated in the law.  

“Let’s do one thing in Nigeria, to respect the law in order to avoid crisis in our football” he said.