The Akwa Ibom State Government has urged the League Management Company (LMC) to investigate the pitch invasion during the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match between title contenders Kano Pillars and Akwa United.
On Sunday evening, home fans invaded the pitch and disrupted the tie at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna forcing the remaining minutes of the match to be played the next morning.
Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Uko, has urged the LMC, which is the body licensed to organise and regulate the NPFL, to investigate the incident.
He commended the management and players of Akwa United for their zeal, passion and dedication which earned them a point this morning.
The draw has seen Akwa United extending their unbeaten run in the ongoing Nigerian professional football league to 17 matches, a feat never attained by any football team in the history of the country.
With 50 points and only 11 matches remaining, Sir Uko urged the team to approach every remaining game with renewed energy and enthusiasm, to ensure that the pro-league trophy comes to Akwa Ibom.
In a statement, he condemned the violence that marred the encounter, saying it was unacceptable in football in the 21st century anywhere in the world.
The government wondered why Kano Pillars and their fans defied the directives of the Nigeria Football Federation that clubs at home should not allow fans into match venues as stipulated in the regulations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, and called for an urgent review of circumstances surrounding the incident.
The government said the Akwa United players exhibited the Dakkada philosophy of the state, through resilience and hard work and faith in God, describing them as worthy ambassadors of the state.
“Akwa Ibom people are notably peaceful, hospitable and law-abiding, and I am proud that despite the provocations, my players maintained their calm and resisted the pressure of being betrayed by their emotions,” he said.
The Commissioner also commended the centre referee from Lagos State, Adebimpe Quadri, who defied the stampede and made the right calls throughout the match which could only be concluded after two days.
“It is most unfortunate that at a time football elsewhere is becoming a serious business venture, spinning revenue and economic opportunities, we still have a situation matches are disrupted by home fans who chase the referees and visiting players around the pitch, in order to win at all cost.”
He maintained that, “football is one game that always unites Nigerians and should be used to engender unity and love in the country.”