Niger Tornadoes, a club in the Nigeria Premier Football League, have threatened to withdraw from the league following a ban on the Bako Kantagora Stadium in Minna by the league authorities. The chairman of the Niger State Sports Commission, Danjuma Masu, criticized the decision as unfair and suggested it was a politically motivated attack targeting the club. He accused the authorities of using dubious claims about the stadium's suitability to force the team to relocate its matches away from their home state.

During a press conference in Minna, Masu argued that the issues concerning the stadium, cited by the league as a reason for the ban, could be resolved quickly, particularly the concern regarding camera angles. He expressed frustration with what he perceives as a misuse of sports for political gamesmanship, stating that the quality of their stadium actually exceeds that of several venues approved for use in the league. His comments have sparked discussions about the intersection of sports and politics in Nigeria, showing how club operations are often subject to external pressures.

The ongoing situation has significant implications for both the club and the league. If Niger Tornadoes follows through on their threat to withdraw, it could alter the competitive landscape of the league and highlight the broader challenges facing sports organizations in Nigeria. The incident raises questions about how clubs operate within political frameworks and the fairness of treatment they receive from governing bodies, particularly in an environment where sports are often intertwined with local and national politics.