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The eight- month
reign of Davidson Owumi as the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) Chairman
was been brought to an end yesterday after the Nigeria Football
Federation annulled his election as the league boss.

The decision, which
was ratified by the executive committee of the NFF at the annual
general meeting held in Uyo yesterday, also ordered for fresh elections
within the next 14 days.

A statement issued
after the meeting by Ademola Olajire, the federation’s media officer
said the federation decided to uphold the Ibidapo Obe committee report,
which had earlier questioned Owumi’s election and called for fresh
polls.

“The Committee
considered and upheld the 21st June, 2010 award of the… Ibidapo Obe
Arbitration Tribunal set up by the Nigeria Football Federation on the
Nigeria Premier League leadership tussle. The NFF Executive Committee
has therefore ordered for fresh elections to be conducted into offices
of Chairman of NPL and Chairman of Chairmen of NPL, within 14 days and
in full compliance with the NPL Statutes.

The remaining NPL
Board members should continue to run the affairs of the NPL without let
or hindrance in the on-going 2010/2011 Premier League Season,” the
statement read.

The Executive
Committee also appealed for calm and the co-operation of all football
stakeholders in the country in order for problem in the NPL to be
solved.

In the meantime,
the Vice Chairman of the NPL, Shehu Gusau, has been directed to act as
chairman before the fresh elections are conducted.

Before yesterday’
decision, the NFF had tried in futility to settle the case amicably
between Owumi and his major opponent, Rumson Baribote.

Baribote, who was
the former Chairman of relegated side, Bayelsa United had consistently
argued that Owumi was not even qualified to run for the position of
Chairman.

“I am not
witch-hunting anybody all I have demanded for is justice,” Baribote had
said twenty-four hours before the decision to sack Owumi was taken by
the NFF.

Attempts to reach Owumi, who is reportedly in Enugu were unsuccessful as his mobile phone was switched off.

Aside the
leadership tussle, the eight-week old league which is currently on
recess, has been the source of controversy as former sponsors, Globacom
have take the NPL to court over its decision to award sponsorship
rights to rival telecommunications company, MTN.

Hearing in the suit has been fixed for Friday at a Federal High Court in Lagos.