The National Assembly has cleared the Nigeria Football Federation of any complicity in the non- payment of the Super Eagles' Africa Cup of Nations final winning bonus.
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Chairman, House Committee on Sports Godfrey Gaiya reacting to alleged threats by the Super Eagles players to boycott their World Cup qualifier against Kenya on Saturday, said that the delay was caused by the non-release of the balance of N200 million out the N800 million appropriated for the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
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According to Honorable Gaiya, the releases for Afcon came in two instalment of N490 million and N100 million and the balance was expected to come with first quarter release of the appropriation after Mr. President appended his signature.
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"The NFF is not to blame for the non-payment of the Super Eagles bonus after they won the African Cup of Nations in South Africa. It was so because the balance of money meant to prosecute the AFCON has yet to be released," Gaiya said.
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"I called the NFF as soon as I read about the plans by players to hold the country to ransome by refusing to play until they are paid their outstanding balance, and I am satisfied with the brief I got and I can say now that NFF was not to blame for the delay.
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"We have discussed this development with the Speaker of the House of the Representative, Hon Tambuwal and I can assure you that they would speed up action for the money to reach NFF for disburse. The players should go ahead and beat the Kenyans and be rest assured that they would get their every kobo," Hon Gaiya concluded.
I must congratulate the lucky players, 2013 is their lucky year. Let us just hope they will keep up with this great form