It seems the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is never far from controversy, with the latest issue involving its immediate past president, Amaju Pinnick.
The NFF is still reeling from its recent altercation with the members of the Super Falcons over the payment of their dues.
The issue saw FIFA deciding to pay the players their allowances directly from the allocation due to the NFF from the Women's World Cup.
The ghost of the past has come back to haunt the federation in a civil matter that does not involve the NFF.
The latest brouhaha involves prominent Afro-Pop music star and former NFF president Amaju Pinnick over an alleged breach of contract.
Former NFF president claims breach of contract by Davido
Warri Again is a musical concert organised every year in Delta State.
The concert by Juliet Pinnick, the wife of former NFF president Amaju Pinnick, is in its 19th edition but was shrouded in controversy.
Pinnick has thrown a jibe at Davido, alleging a breach of contract.
According to the former football head honcho, Davido received $94,000 to perform at the show with another $18,000 for a private jet to convey him to Warri, but he failed to show up.
Pinnick made the allegations while speaking at the event in Warri, expressing his dissatisfaction at the absence of the Afrobeat star.
Without mincing words, Pinnick claimed that by not performing at the event, Davido breached the contract reached between him and the organizers despite receiving full payment.
“We paid Davido $94,600 and booked a private jet for $18,000 to perform at an event in Warri, Delta State and he didn’t show up”
– Ex NFF President Amaju Pinnick pic.twitter.com/V5hv25Mhnb
— BASITO (@itzbasito) October 7, 2023
It is now daggers drawn with both parties and their supporters throwing jibes at each other and claiming dishonesty.
It is safe to say that the battle line is drawn, but how far are both parties willing to go in their war of words?
Former NFF president in subtle Davido challenge
The former NFF president did not stop at his claims of a breach of contract. He went as far as issuing statements many would describe as subtle threats.
According to Pinnick, they had to shop for another artiste (Shallipopi) when it became evident that Davido was playing hanky-panky with them.
He said if Davido claims he is a big boy, they would show him they are bigger. The former CAF vice president insisted he was not joking.
He also pointed to other artists who he claims are bigger than Davido, citing Burna Boy as one, who is also from the region.
Those who live in glass houses
Davido has not taken the allegations lightly. He has also thrown jabs at Pinnick, claiming insincerity on the part of the former CAF vice president.
In several Instagram and Twitter posts, Davido opined that Pinnick's hands are also not clean.
He said he had let the organisers know he would not be available for the event months ago, only for them to continue using his name to promote the show.
He also alluded to shady business by Amaju Pinnick in a subtle reference to the $8.4 million FIFA money paid to Pinnick to build a stadium in Warri while he was NFF president.
Despite his initial vituperations, Davido later apologised to his fans for his absence from the show and claimed if he would return any money, it would be to a football charity.
He also claimed he would double the money paid to him for the show.
As the sabre-rattling continues, we await the conclusion on the matter.
“If I’m returning any money I’ll return it to any football charity organization, INFACT I WILL DOUBLE IT” – Davido
OBO replies former NFF President, Amaju Pinnick after calling him out for refusing to show up at the 19th edition of ‘Warri Again’, despite receiving $94,000 and… pic.twitter.com/iNHAXGb0iy
— News Round The Clock (@NRTCNigeria) October 8, 2023
Pinnick vs Davido: For and against
While the two heavyweights are having a dig at each other, their supporters have refused to be left out of the party.
Israel of DMW was direct, asking Pinnick why he didn't contact Burna Boy if he knew he was the most prominent African artist instead of wasting Davido's time.
He also asked Pinnick to account for the FIFA money for building a befitting stadium in Warri.
Others weighed in on the matter, with one claiming Davido is a Yahoo Boy trying to scam another Yahoo Boy.
With others alluding to the FIFA money as the source of his wealth, some say Pinnick was wealthy even before serving in the NFF.
As the saying goes, the show never stops, and Davido vs Pinnick is just another that should keep their fans and supporters entertained.
https://twitter.com/davido/status/1710628928899994078
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 weeks ago
