Reactions are presently trailing the decision of the Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick to shelve his ambition to contest for a third term in office.
During an interview on Tuesday Pinnick, stated that he won’t be contesting for a third term, despite calls from colleagues convincing him to maintain his third term ambition. His second tenure would be due on September 20. He first, assumed office in 2014.
‘Third term? No, no,’ Pinnick replied when asked if he would be contesting again.
‘I’m fine and I’m telling you that there are so many Nigerians that are capable of running Nigerian football.’
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‘I will assist and work with whoever emerges as the new NFF president and that’s my promise. I’ll intervene but never interfere.’
Former Super Eagles assistant coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, believes Pinnick, a FIFA Council member, has done well and would be acknowledged for working diligently with Nigerian football.
‘There have been talks about him contesting or not, but if he comes out to state categorically that he won’t run for a third term, so be it,’ Amuneke said
‘Other capable hands are out there to drive Nigerian football forward. He has played his part and history will remember him for what he did either way, that’s life.’
Two-time Africa Cup of Nations bronze medalist, Ifeanyi Udeze, also lauded Pinnick for his decision not to run for a third term.
‘Honestly, for me, he has done the right thing coming out to state clearly that he will not be running for a third term,’ Udeze, who was part of Nigeria’s squad to the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan, said
‘But we need someone who is credible to take over from him and not just anybody who will take our football backward. First, the congress must hold for this process to go through.’
On whether an ex-international player should contest for the position, Udeze added, ‘We need a well-grounded ex-player who can contest and win, not just take part in the poll.’
Shehu Sani, an ex-senator who represented Kaduna Central, urged ex-internationals to contest in the upcoming elections.
‘The NFF election is here again. Ex-Nigeria internationals should step forward and take the mantle of football administration. Emulate Samuel Eto and Didier Drogba. Where is Austin Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Daniel Amokachi, Segun Odegbami and Tijani Babangida?’
Meanwhile, the NFF has rescheduled its Annual General Assembly earlier billed for August 16 in Yenegoa, to August 18 in Lagos, according to its first Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association.
Akinwunmi, who spoke via a short video clip, which was made available to our journalists, said following an ultimatum from football stakeholders, the country’s football body was impelled to call together the AGA ahead of elective Congress next month.
‘In the light of all that has been happening in recent times within the realm of Nigerian football, I have decided to send out a short message of assurance and give my personal stance on this issue. As you are all aware, there has been a dark cloud of uncertainty surrounding the administration of our football in the past few months.’
‘We have a situation where the issue of a court injunction has affected our football administration. This time, it is an interim injunction granted in December 2021 in a suit filed at the Yenagoa division of the Federal High Court, which has restrained the NFF from convening its Annual General Assembly for over seven months.’
‘Secondly, many members of the NFF Congress have in the past few months given the Executive Committee an ultimatum to call AGA within a specified time.’
‘In accordance with the views of the members of the football fraternity as expressed in various forums, many members of the NFF Congress have demanded that the Executive Committee must ensure that the 2022 NFF elections take place in September 2022 within the electoral lifespan of the current Executive Committee. The plaintiff in a lawsuit in Bayelsa State and beneficiary of the interim injunction has forfeited his rights to the injunction and filed for the discontinuance of the suits.’
‘In full alignment and agreement with the above, I’m aware that the NFF statutes is the supreme law for the administration of football in Nigeria, subject of course to any conflict with the laws of Nigeria. By virtue of the NFF status, the annual general assembly as currently constituted is the supreme legislative body for the NFF.’
