Unless there is dramatic turn of events, the Nigeria Football Federation will today in the ancient city of Benin elect a successor to Amaju Melvin Pinnick to steer the affairs of the federation for the next four years.
10 presidential candidates are jostling to replace Delta state born Pinnick after holding swaying in the Sunday Dankaro House for eight years. Among the 10 are current vice presidents, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi (1st VP) and Mallam Shehu Dikko (2nd VP), as well as current Executive Committee Member and Chairman of Chairmen, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and another current Executive Committee Member, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande.
There is also an immediate past General Secretary, Barr. Musa Amadu, and Head of Safety and Security of the Confederation of African Football, Dr. Christian Emeruwa.
Also in the hunt for the exalted post are Chairman of the FCT Football Association, Mallam Adam Mouktar Mohammed; former Nigeria international goalkeeper, Peterside Idah; former Chairman of Kano Pillars FC and respected technocrat, Alhaji Abba Abdullahi Yola and; UK-based David-Buhari Doherty.
A former NFF 1st Vice President, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam, pulled out of the race during the week.
There were uncertainties ahead of the Elective Congress . On Wednesday evening, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar issued a press statement calling on football stakeholders to obey the court order stopping the election.
But on Thursday morning in a swift reaction by the NFF, the federation stated that the has secure an injunction from Court of Appeal to stay execution on the matter.
“A ruling by the Court of Appeal on Thursday morning ordered a stay-of-execution of an ex parte injunction secured by some fellows a fortnight ago to stop the elections, meaning that the coast is now clear for an interesting contest for the NFF presidency by 10 prominent individuals and dozen other notable persons jostling for seats on the Executive Committee” the NFF stated in a press release on Thursday.
The NFF also disclosed that international observers are already in Benin to monitor the elections.
“More representatives of the world football-governing body, FIFA arrived in Benin City just before noon on Thursday. Solomon Mudege, FIFA’s Head of Development Programmes for Africa and Gelson Fernandes, a former Swiss international player who is FIFA’s Director for Africa were in an excited mood,” the statement said.
Mudege said: “We are happy to be here and to witness another milestone in the history of Nigeria Football. We believe it is going to be an interesting Congress with the elections.”
Three persons, viz current member of Board, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu; current Member of Board, Senator Obinna Ogba and; Mr Chinedu Okoye will battle for the post of 1st Vice President.
Current member of Board, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’ will replace Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau as Chairman of Chairmen, as he was the only one who obtained the form, and has been cleared for the position.
There are several contestants jostling to be elected into the Board of the federation from different geo-political zone of the country.
The elections will commence after other items on the agenda for the 78th Annual General Assembly have been dealt with.
Winners would be sworn in immediately after the elections.
