ANPFU Rejects PFAN Reconciliation Claim, Urges NFF To Revive Unity Talks

The All Nigeria Football Players Union (ANPFU) has rejected claims by the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) that the two groups and the National Association of Nigerian Professional Footballers (NANPF) have reconciled, describing the announcement as false and misleading.

ANPFU, in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Olisa Onuchukwu, on Friday, insisted that no agreement had been reached to reunite the three groups under a single umbrella.

The union was reacting to a circular dated October 5 and signed by PFAN General Secretary, Edema Fuludu, which claimed that the groups had agreed to reconciliation following a meeting in Lagos on October 3.

ANPFU said the circular did not reflect any mutually agreed resolution of the longstanding divisions within Nigeria’s professional footballers’ union movement.

It also challenged PFAN’s claim to recognition as the players’ union by the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the international players’ union, FIFPRO.

According to ANPFU, claims of recognition by FIFPRO must be supported by the organisation’s established membership procedures and official records rather than unilateral declarations.

The union noted that FIFPRO’s statutes provide for formal admission requirements and empower its board to decide on membership applications.

It maintained that determining the legitimate representative of Nigerian professional footballers required transparency, clarity and due process, particularly as football authorities seek to resolve the divisions within the players’ union movement.

ANPFU also accused PFAN’s Board of Trustees and leadership of retaining control of the organisation for more than 40 years, describing the situation as a major obstacle to genuine reconciliation and democratic representation.

It argued that any credible reunification process must address questions of leadership and accountability rather than rely on unilateral announcements.

The union further recalled an earlier initiative to unite the rival groups through the intervention of Philip Shaibu, former Deputy Governor of Edo State, who is now associated with the National Institute for Sports.

According to ANPFU, the initiative included a meeting in Edo State but failed to achieve its objective amid prevailing governmental challenges.

It therefore called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to engage Shaibu to revive the reconciliation process, citing his knowledge of the earlier discussions and the framework developed towards achieving unity.

The union stressed that lasting reconciliation could only be achieved through inclusive dialogue, mutual agreement, transparency and accountable leadership.

It reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the dispute in the interest of Nigerian footballers, urging stakeholders to support a credible process that would guarantee effective representation, protect players’ welfare and establish a united and democratically accountable union.

ANPFU said unity within the players’ union movement must be built on mutual agreement and due process rather than declared unilaterally.