After a Federal High Court sitting in Jos ruled that the elections were invalid, it was expected that world football's governing body would take action against Nigeria.

But a day before the expiry of the FIFA deadline (October 31) set for the settlement of the dispute, Giwa dropped the case after reportedly being asked to do so by the Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.

Jonathan is believed to have requested that the bosses of the two warring factions, Giwa and Pinnick, resolve the issues between them by next week, during a meeting at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa. 

The intervention of Jonathan is also the reason behind the re-appointment of Stephen Keshi, who had been released by Pinnick, to coach the national team for the remaining qualification games for the 2015 African Nations Cup.

Stephen Keshi has been re-appointed as Nigeria's coach ©Getty Images



After hearing that the claimants had withdrawn their case, Judge Ambrose Allagoa announced: "I have struck out the matter.

"The suit ceases to have life."

Giwa's lawyer Habila Ardzard said the decision had been made "as a result of pleas from so many well-meaning Nigerians and in the national interest".

With the immediate threat of a FIFA ban having been averted, it remains to be seen whether members of Giwa's faction will be integrated into the new NFF Board or if new elections will be held.

When contacted by insidethegames, a FIFA spokesperson said: "We have received a letter from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stating that the suit seeking to nullify the NFF elections of September 30 2014 has been withdrawn from court and that the newly elected Board is now able to work without interference."

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