2026 NFF Election: North Central FA Chairmen Back Gusau With Nomination Form Purchase

2026 NFF Election: North Central FA Chairmen Back Gusau With Nomination Form Purchase

By Niyi Busari 

Chairmen of Football Associations (FAs) from Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone have purchased the presidential nomination form for Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, reaffirming their support for his re-election ahead of the federation's 2026 elective congress.

The purchase of the nomination form follows the North Central FA Chairmen's unanimous endorsement of Gusau's second-term ambition during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Benue State Football Association held in Makurdi.

Speaking after the exercise, the Chairman of the Benue State Football Association, Barrister Paul Edeh, said the delegation was fulfilling the commitment made by the North Central zone to purchase the nomination form for the incumbent NFF President.

According to Edeh, the gesture reflects the confidence of the region's football administrators in Gusau's leadership and the achievements recorded by his administration over the past four years.

"We are here to fulfill the promise made by the North Central Football Association Chairmen to purchase the nomination form for Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau. We believe he deserves this support because of the progress recorded under his leadership and the positive impact his administration has made on Nigerian football," Edeh said.

The delegation that purchased the form included Barrister Paul Edeh (Benue State FA Chairman), Alhaji Hassan Wada (Kogi State FA Chairman), the Chairman of Kaduna State FA Chairman Faisal Tozo, and the Personal Assistant to the NFF President, Abubakar Barde.

The nomination form purchase is seen as another significant boost for Gusau's re-election campaign as preparations intensify for the NFF presidential election scheduled for September 27, 2026, in Lafia, Nasarawa State. Delegates from the federation's constituent bodies are expected to elect the next leadership of Nigerian football during the elective congress.

Gusau, who assumed office as NFF President in 2022, is seeking a second term following what his supporters describe as notable progress in football administration, improved collaboration with state football associations, enhanced grassroots football development, and ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the governance of the game in Nigeria.

His re-election bid has continued to gather momentum, with endorsements now coming from stakeholders across all six of Nigeria's geopolitical zones.

In the North West, the six State FA Chairmen representing Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, and Zamfara States have publicly declared their support for Gusau's return. The North Central zone unanimously adopted him as its preferred candidate and fulfilled its pledge to purchase his nomination form.

In the South West, the six State FA Chairmen endorsed his candidacy during their regional forum, while football administrators and stakeholders in the South East also threw their weight behind his second-term bid after a strategic meeting.

Support has equally been reaffirmed by stakeholders in the South-South and North East, completing endorsements from all six geopolitical zones.

The wave of endorsements positions Gusau as one of the leading contenders ahead of the September 27 elective congress, where delegates will determine the future leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation.