The President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick over the weekend reiterated that the conditions rolled out by the NFF Executive Committee for Nigerians aspiring for the Office of President of FIFA were perfectly in order and meant to ensure the aspirants make wide consultations before the real contest.
Speaking on a sports programme in Lagos in direct reference to the condemnation of the NFF criteria by Chief Olusegun Odegbami (one of the aspirants), Pinnick underscored the fact that the NFF was interested in protecting the image of the country.
Former Super Eagles captain, Segun Odegbami (MON) and former governor of Abia state, Chief Kalu Uzor Kalu, are the two Nigerians, who have indicated interest in replacing Sepp Blatter as FIFA boss. Blatter, against the backdrop of corruption allegation levelled against the body will step down in March 2016 when an emergency Elective Congress will elect a new president.
The conditions the NFF has rolled out were that the aspirants; get a letter of endorsement from the relevant State Football Association; provide evidence of fulfillment of the FIFA Presidential election eligibility provisions; endorsement by continental football governing body and also a letter of support from the National Sports Commission.
Pinnick said the conditions were not targeted at any aspirant and that they are simply designed to induct the determined persons into the furnace of football politics. “The NFF is presently working to rebuild and repair the country’s football, in order that we can return to global reckoning.
There are so many things we are doing to ensure this, and the NFF is determined that our country does not become a laughing stock as a result of another false step in the political sphere. “Our criteria is reasonable and sensible; this is not a matter for sentiment. We do not underestimate the capacity of the aspirants, but the FIFA presidential race involves too many things and rests on a lot of factors,” Pinnick stated.
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