For those who have not been following the battle between the two men, Gara-Gombe had accused Amanze of undermining and insulting the office of the President and Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with his recent “attack” on President Umaru Yar’ Adua for setting up the task force on Eagles. In fact, it is on record that the NFF was so incensed by the president’s action that he could not restrain himself as he publicly declared Mr. President’s action as condemnable and regrettable. Even as the President of NFF Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi commended Yar’Adua’s action, Amanze who considers himself a brave man went ahead to castigate the presidential decision. He said what the president did was complete interference which he said is a threat to the independence of NFF. Amanze in addition boasted that NFF is filled to the brim with sound technocrats who know what they are doing as he pointed out himself as a highly experienced football administrator. These and many more were the content of his voice which Brila FM in Abuja played times without number.
Following Amanze’s effrontery, Gara-Gombe, an emerging social critic, decided to publicly challenge his former friend. Before their friendship went sour, both Amanze and Gara-Gombe were the leading lights in the struggle to install the president leadership of the NFF. While Amanze was the chairman of the now infamous stakeholders forum, Gara-Gombe was the secretary. They worked closely together. But the story is no longer the same. For having the temerity to question Mr. President, Gara-Gombe wants Amanze to tender unreserved apology to Mr. President and in addition resign his membership of the NFF board with immediate effect. According to Gara-Gombe, Amanze’s behavior has amounted to insubordination and gross indiscipline which must not be condoned by anyone. He said the Chief from Imo state is a part and parcel of a government parastatal and therefore has no right to challenge the president publicly. It must be stated here that one of the reasons why Amanze has vowed to sue Gara-Gombe is the latter’s advice that he must go back to school in order to know the difference between interference and intervention. According to Gara-Gombe, Yar’Adua’s action amounts to nothing more than intervention as it did not amount to usurping the authority of NFF over football in Nigeria.
It is going to be an interesting case to listen to because it is said Amanze himself is a lawyer and anytime I listen to him, he leaves no traces of intellectual kwashiorkor. This is to say he is qualified intellectually and otherwise to head to court in order to have his “defamed character” restored. Moreover, over the years, he has garnered enough money to be able to pay for the services of the best lawyers in the land. By the way, they are his colleagues and he would certainly enjoy their cooperation at the least cost.
On the other hand, over the year’s Gara-Gombe has proved to be an indefatigable social crusader. He has never missed any opportunity to criticize people in position of authority especially when he believes they have erred. Funny enough, some people believe he suffers from the diarrhoea of the mouth. It is said he talks too much. Moreover, Amanze is one of those who believe Gara-Gombe is merely seeking relevance. No matter the public perception about him, Gara-Gombe has vowed to keep talking.
The most important issue is that Nigerians cannot wait any longer to see the two football administrators in court. While Gara-Gombe is getting set to “stripe Amanze naked in court”, the NFF Vice-President is said to be planning how to legally seal his mouth once and for all. I believe these gentlemen have some useful information to make public. I advise my aunty, Farida Waziri to ensure her boys are in court any day the case comes up for hearing. I am sure they will have a new catch.
As Amanze continues to prepare his papers, I pray he doesn’t forget that he has promised to meet with Gara-Gombe in court. He is the first Vice-president of NFF, a position which provides too many foreign trips for him and if he considers how much estacode he may miss by wasting his time in court over nothing, he may decide to shelve the idea. I advise him not to contemplate such because if he has the guts to challenge Mr. President, he is the right guy to bell the cat. Other football administrators are fed up with Gara-Gombe but lack the necessary capacity to tame him once and for all. This is the time and Amanze must not fail to go for his jugular. But if he is to coast to victory without hassles, he must first go and erase his voice on Brila FM. It is still the number one evidence against him. And it is also one of the major weapons his opponent is brandishing around. This is wishing my brothers, Gara-Gombe and Amanze Uchegbulam the best of luck as they head to court where Justice is supposed to be blind
