Nigeria National League Chief Executive Officer Bukola Olopade has resigned his position with the league body with immediate effect after a directive from the hierarchy of the Nigeria football Federation directed that only four teams must be promoted from the NNL to the NPFL for the 2018/2019 abridged league.
Olopade after a meeting with chieftains of the NNL had concluded plans to send 8 team’s from the NNL to play in the elite league as there was no time for the Super 8 that would have ultimately decided the four teams to gain promotion to be played based on the schedule of the League Management Company.
Olopade in a WhatsApp message dated 8th of December 2018 and addressed to the president of the NFF Amaju Melvin Pinnick and obtained by footballlive.ng saw the former Ogun state commissioner for sports thank the president for the confidence placed on him but as a man of his words, he has vowed not to continue as the CEO of the Bet9ja NNL.
Olopade wrote. “These past few days has thrown up a different kind of challenge to our football, in particular the promotion of 8 teams from the Bet9ja NNL to the NPFL. And in all of these, my stand has been based on the principle of common sense. I am sure you have read from a few WhatsApp forums my strong opinion on this matter, but importantly, is the fact that I had told you of my intention to leave if the decision of the Bet9ja NNL Congress is not respected and all stakeholders sit down to seek solution to a situation that all caused especially the LMC.
I woke of this morning 8th Dec 2018 by a call from the League’s COO confirming to me that the NFF has gone ahead to direct that the there must be a playoff to promote only 4 teams. Mr President, I respect the decision of the highest body in football but I now humbly inform you first through this medium and subsequently through an official letter of my resignation from the position of the CEO of the Bet9ja NNL.”
