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Tag: Amaju Pinnick

  • FIFA boss congratulates Pinnick over OFR award

    FIFA boss congratulates Pinnick over OFR award

    FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has congratulated Amaju Pinnick, a former President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), for the conferment of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) on him by former President, Muhammadu Buhari.

    Buhari had before his exit on May 29 honoured Pinnick and many others, including Chief Emeka Anyaoku, a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth; Mamman Daura and Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, among others with the conferement of national honours.

    Infantino in a letter personally signed stated that the award was a well-deserved honour which established Pinnick’s exemplary commitment to football development, particularly within the FIFA Council.

    The letter reads: “By means of this letter, I have the great pleasure to express to you my warmest congratulations on the award of the prestigious Officer ofthe Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) bestowed to you by His Excellency Mr Muhammadu Buhari.

    “This is a well-deserved honour that rewards your passion and exemplary commitment at
    the service of the international football community, particularly within the FIFA Council.

    “Your human qualities and skills, not to mention your remarkable contribution to the development of Nigerian, African and world football, deserve our admiration.

    “Congratulating you once again for this important distinction, I look forward to seeing you again soon.”

  • Gusau, Sanusi celebrate Amaju Pinnick on national award of OFR

    Gusau, Sanusi celebrate Amaju Pinnick on national award of OFR

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has congratulated his immediate predecessor, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick on the award of the prestigious Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) bestowed on him by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR.

    “I am very happy to celebrate a goal-getter, an achiever, an accomplished administrator and an eminent world citizen, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick on this award. He is quite deserving but I must thank President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for recognizing the hard work and diligence of Mr. Pinnick in Nigeria, African and world football.

    “On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of the NFF, I congratulate Mr. Pinnick and I believe this prestigious National Award will serve as an impetus for him to do even more for Nigeria, African and world football.”

    On his part, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi stated that the award is not only for Mr. Pinnick and his adorable immediate family, but also for all those who worked with him at the NFF, and the entire Nigeria Football fraternity.

    “We are grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for this award, because in essence it recognizes the work that football administrators are doing. Mr. Pinnick is a shining light for Nigeria and African football in the global space.”

    Amaju Melvin Pinnick served two terms as President of NFF between 2014 and 2022 (the first to break the one-term duck since Sunday Dankaro in the 1970s), arrow-headed a leadership change at the Confederation of African Football, served as 1st Vice President of CAF and is presently Member of the FIFA Council – an exclusive club of 37 people who are the supreme governors of world football.

    A vintage philanthropist through his Brownhill Foundation, Amaju Melvin Pinnick has enabled the appointment of a good number of Nigerians into top offices and committees of FIFA and CAF.

  • Court strikes out appeal motion against Amaju Pinnick, others

    Court strikes out appeal motion against Amaju Pinnick, others

    A Federal High Court, sitting in  Abuja, on Monday, struck out a motion to appeal against the ruling discharging and acquitting Amaju Pinnick and others in a criminal charge filed against them.
    In the ruling by Justice Inyang Ekwo, the case was struck out for lack of diligent prosecution.
    Recall that the Chairman of, National Footballers Association of Nigeria, Harrison Jalla and staff of the association, Tunde Aderibigbe, had filed the motion on notice with charge number FHC/ABJ/ CR/93/2019.
    They had sought an order of the court granting them leave to appeal as interested parties against the ruling of the court delivered on Feb. 30, 2020, discharging and acquitting the defendants in the matter.
    Others listed in the motion include the Federal Republic of Nigeria as complainant/respondent; Sunusi Mohammed, Seyi Akinwumi, Shehu Dikko, Amaju  Pinnick and Yusuf Ahmed-Fresh as defendants/respondents.
    Upon resumed hearing in the matter, Aliyu Alhassan, who represented the defendants, was in court while counsel for the applicants was absent.
    Alhassan, therefore, informed the court that though the matter was scheduled for hearing, the applicants had not been diligent in prosecuting the case.
    The lawyer prayed the court to dismiss the case.
    Justice Ekwo, in a short ruling, said he had found that the matter had not been diligently prosecuted.
    He said he observed that the matter was adjourned at the instance of the applicants in the last adjourned date and that there was no excuse given for their absence in court today.
    The judge, consequently, struck out the matter for not being diligently prosecuted.
    According to NAN,  the applicants, through their lawyer,  Dr Celsius Ukpong, had informed the court what the application was all about when the matter was mentioned.
    The applicants, in the motion dated Dec. 16, 2020 and filed same day by their lawyer, had said that the motion was brought on the grounds that “at the day set for arraignment ,the applicants and other aggrieved people were in court to testify after the arraignment.”
    They argued that when the prosecutor who took over from the agency that filed the charge suddenly apply to withdraw the charge in order to study the file or whatever only for the learned trial judge to discharge and acquit the defendants without any proper arraignment and trial.
    “The applicants/interested party in the matter, in public interest, took risk and make a lot of sacrifices to complain and gather a lot of evidence to try the defendants before the defendants were finally charge to court.
    “The defendants have been using the ruling of the learned trial court as a shield successfully against further prosecution in the matter that is yet to be tried.
    “The prosecutions have neglected/refused to appeal against this decision,” they said.
    They stated that it was immaterial whether the prosecution was interested to prosecute the matter or not, stressing that the matter should not end without proper prosecution “where witnesses who are willing are not allowed to testify.”
    According to them, the prosecution cannot agree with defence counsel to dismiss a charge and acquit the defendants not minding the implication of such agreement.
    “The interested parties/applicants were the nominal complainants and were acting in good faith and in public interest to see to the end of this trial where both parties are heard before the case is determined.
    “The complainant, in Section 335 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) is referring to, is the nominal complainant and not the prosecuting counsel. See FRNV.ONONYE 2018 LPELR -45067.
    “The complainants or victims of the offence did not compound this offence to warrant the prosecuting counsel to agree to withdraw the charge so as to entitled the defendants to acquittal. SEE PML. NIG LTD. V. FRN (2017) LPELR -43480(SC),” they averred.
    In the draft notice of appeal, the appellants stated that they were dissatisfied with the decision of a FHC delivered by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu on Nov. 5, 2019, in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/93/2019 wherein the defendants were discharged and acquitted.
    In their grounds of appeal, they argued that Justice Ojukwu erred in law when she held that defendants had been discharged and acquitted for offences that had not been tried.
    Besides, they also argued that the prosecuting counsel from the office of the Attorney-General of Federation took over the matter for the first time from an agency that filed the charge.
    They said the prosecution counsel decided to compound the offence without recourse to primary complainant who were in court about to witness the trial, among others
    Amaju Melvin  Pinnick was the immediate-past President of Nigeria Football Federation and a FIFA council member.
  • Amaju Pinnick officially hands over NFF to Ibrahim Gusau

    Amaju Pinnick officially hands over NFF to Ibrahim Gusau

    Ibrahim Gusau, the new President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Tuesday in Abuja formally took over the reins from the immediate-past President, Amaju Pinnick.

    Gusau had on Sept. 30 in Benin City won the presidential election at the NFF Elective General Assembly.

    Ademola Olajire, the Federation’s Director of Communications, disclosed in a statement that the hand over ceremony took place at the NFF Conference Room at the Sunday Dankaro House.

    Olajire listed as being present at the ceremony NFF Executive Committee members such as Yusuf Ahmed, Aisha Falode, Essien Udofot and Sharif Inuwa.

    Others at the event included NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme, as well as other management staff.

    Olajire stated that Pinnick, while handing over, charged the Federation’s management and other staff to give Gusau and his team maximum support, just as they gave him and his team.

    “I thank you for your loyalty and support in the past eight years, and the encouragement and support of the Executive Committee that I worked with.

    “It was an awesome experience all through and I give God the glory. Football is the winner.

    “I ask for the forgiveness of all those that I might have offended one way or the other, and I crave your support for the new team.

    “The General Secretary is a formidable individual, a great administrator and a good man at heart.

    “He is a man capable of stabilising the new Executive Committee. I have no doubt that alongside other members of management and staff, they will propel Nigerian football to new heights,” Pinnick was quoted as saying.

    Olajire also quoted him as saying that he remained a part of the system and would still be available to offer advice and suggestions whenever such was sought.

    “As a FIFA Council Member, I am technically in charge of 22 countries, including Nigeria.

    “I will always do my best to protect and project the interests of Nigeria at all times.

    “My administration gave its all and raised funds for the programmes of the NFF and the national teams, and built discipline within the national teams.

    “However, I see the new administration surpassing whatever we achieved. The new President is a strategist who is humble, dynamic and innovative.”

    Gusau on his part lauded Pinnick, saying the warm relationship between the old and new guard was a reflection of the wonderful relationship forged among members within eight years.

    “We assure you (Pinnick), that we will always reach out to you for your advice and encouragement whenever the need arises.

    “We wish you the very best in your duties and tasks at FIFA and CAF,” he had said.

  • Excitement, as Amaju Pinnick formally hands over NFF to Ibrahim Musa Gusau

    Excitement, as Amaju Pinnick formally hands over NFF to Ibrahim Musa Gusau

    It was an epic moment at the Nigeria Football Federation office on Tuesday morning as FIFA Council Member and Member of the CAF Executive Committee, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick formally handed over the reins of the NFF to the winner of presidential election at the September 30 Elective General Assembly held in Benin City, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau.

    A convivial atmosphere reigned as Alhaji Gusau, Board Members Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, Ms Aisha Falode, Rt. Hon. Essien Udofot and Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, Deputy General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, other members of Management and NFF Staff gave Pinnick a standing ovation as he walked into the NFF Conference Room at the Sunday Dankaro House.

    Pinnick charged the Management and Staff to give Gusau and the new Board maximum support as they gave him and his team, and reiterated that he remained a part of the system and would still be available to offer advice and suggestions whenever such is sought.

    “I thank you for your loyalty and support in the past eight years, and the encouragement and support of the Board that I worked with. It was an awesome experience all through and I give God the glory. Football is the winner. I ask for the forgiveness of all those that I might have offended one way or the other, and I crave your support for the new team.

    “The General Secretary is a formidable individual, a great administrator and a good man at heart. He is a man capable of stabilizing the new Board. I have no doubt that alongside other members of Management and Staff, they will propel Nigeria Football to new heights.

    “As a FIFA Council Member, I am technically in charge of 22 countries including Nigeria. I will always do my best to protect and project the interests of Nigeria at all times. My administration gave its all and raised funds for the programs of the NFF and the National Teams, and built discipline within the National Teams. However, I see the new administration surpassing whatever we achieved. The new President is a strategist who is humble, dynamic and innovative.”

    In his response, the NFF President lauded the historic occasion, saying the warm relationship between the old and the new guards is a reflection of the wonderful relationship that was forged among the members of the last board within eight years.

    “We assure you, Mr. Pinnick, that we will always reach out to you for your advice and encouragement whenever the need arises. We wish you the very best in your duties and tasks at FIFA and CAF.”

  • NFF election: Amaju Pinnick stirs reactions with WhatsApp message

    NFF election: Amaju Pinnick stirs reactions with WhatsApp message

    Immediate past president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has been accused to have acted unethically and illegally in Friday’s election that produced Ibrahim Musa Gusau as the new NFF President.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that this is coming after a message Pinnick allegedly sent to the WhatsApp group of FA presidents in Africa found its way into the public glare.

    In the message allegedly shared by Pinnick shortly after the emergence of Gusau as the new NFF President, the outgoing NFF president stated why he did not run for third term and also boasted he installed his closest ally as the new NFF President.

    The WhatsApp message reads: “My esteemed colleagues, I decided not to run for a third consecutive term for several reasons. Successfully I was able to install one of my closest allies Mr Ibrahim Gusau whom most of you know very well as the new President of the Nigeria Football Federation.

    “He happens to be my staunchest and most loyal supporters. He is humble and a team player. Will send his number shortly and excuse myself from this esteemed Chat Group”.

    While the authenticity of the WhatsApp message has been questioned, Pinnick was yet to deny the message himself.

    Having served two terms of 8 years, Pinnick’s tenure ended today, following the election of Gusau as the new NFF president at the 79th NFF Congress that was held in Benin City, Edo State.

    Among the 10 persons who jostled to succeed Pinnick as Nigeria football’s supremo 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 was also an immediate past General Secretary, Barr. Musa Amadu, and Head of Safety and Security of the Confederation of African Football, Dr. Christian Emeruwa, who took part in the election.

    Also in the hunt for the exalted post were 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.

    Gusau, a member of the immediate-past Executive Committee of the NFF emerged as the Federation’s new president, after polling a total of 39 votes to beat other contestants in the race which went into a run-off.

    On the first ballot, Gusau scored 21 votes but could not be declared the winner because he did not have 50 per cent of the total votes cast, which would have amounted to 22 votes.

    In this ballot, former NFF First Vice-President Senior Akinwunmi had 12 votes, while ex-national goalkeeper Peterside Idah polled one vote.

    Also, Abba Yola, the Chief of Staff to Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare, scored one vote while former NFF Second Vice-President Shehu Dikko had six votes.

    Other contestants, such as Chris Emeruwa, Amanze Uchegbulam who had a few days ago indicated his withdrawal, and David Doherty did not score any vote.

    In the second ballot, after a number of withdrawals, Gusau scored 39 votes to emerge winner while Peterside scored one vote.

    Earlier at the Congress, former NFF President had in his farewell speech commended members of his Executive Committee for their “innovative ideas and the support” given to him during his tenure.

    “I cannot thank God enough for His wonderful grace throughout these eight years of my administration as President of NFF. In fact I must say that it has been good, bad and ugly. But in all we thank God for everything.

    “Everything you see today would not have been possible without the input of my executive committee members. They are the engine room of whatever successes we must have recorded in the past eight years. I also want to thank all Nigerian football stakeholders who stood beside us during this administration,” he said.

    However, the election was held under the cloud of a Sept. 15 Federal High Court order which asked for a stay of action on all matters related to electing new Executive Committee members. However, court papers indicating an appeal has been filed against this court order had emerged on Wednesday evening to give an indication that the order has been vacated.

    It is now left to be seen what would follow this development, with reactions expected from the Federal High Court and the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN). PFAN had obtained the court order against the elections.

    It was asking for the status quo to remain until the determination of its suit asking for an expansion of the list of those who constitute the Congress of Nigerian football.

    TNG reports that the NFF elective congress produced the new NFF President and other executives.

  • Ibrahim Musa Gusau elected new NFF president

    Ibrahim Musa Gusau elected new NFF president

    Ibrahim Musa Gusau has been elected as the new president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Gusau was elected as the new NFF president on Friday to take over from Amaju Pinnick.

    Gusau was elected at the NFF’s 78th Elective Congress which was held in Benin, Edo State.

    Eleven contestants, including former 1st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi, Shehu Dikko, Abba Yola, and former Super Eagles goalie Peterside Idah, amongst others took part in the election.

    Gusau polled 21 votes to beat his closest challenger, Akinwunmi who got 12 votes. However, the 21 votes secured by Gusau were not enough to pull him through as the election entered re-run.

    Akinwunmi and Dikko, however, stepped down from the re-run election except for Idah. Gusau eventually went on to secure 31 votes to win against Idah and finally emerge the new NFF president.

    There were doubts initially as regards the election holding but the Court of Appeal on Thursday granted the NFF a stay of execution to be able to hold the election.

    With the outcome of the election, Gusau will serve for a first term of four years with the option of re-election. The NFF president’s office does not have tenure limitations.

  • NFF holds 78th Annual General Assembly, Elective Congress today

    NFF holds 78th Annual General Assembly, Elective Congress today

    The 2022 Elective Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will hold today in Benin City, Edo State amid tight security, despite threats by a stakeholder group to cause chaos.

    It would be recalled that two weeks ago, a group under the name Nigeria Football Stakeholders had warned that many lives will be lost if the NFF went ahead with the elective congress.

    The group in a letter dated 7th August, 2022 and addressed to the minister of youth and sports development Sunday Dare, accused the outgoing NFF president Amaju Pinnick, of corruption and highhandedness.

    “Embezzlement and fraud committed by the Amaju Pinnick led board with various cases pending at the ICPC and EFCC…blatant refusal to adjust the statute to accommodate all intending stakeholders to come to the board,” the letter read in part.

    It went on to demand a suspension of the Elective Congress until such a time all reforms are carried out, warning that refusal to meet this demand will be met with very serious consequences.

    “We will not hesitate to bomb and bring down the venue of the elections and blood will flow. Your agreement to the cancellation will save many lives,” the group threatened.

    Another group referred to as the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) also filed a Suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja over unequal representation and voting rights, and the presiding Judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered that the elections be put on hold and that parties should maintain the status quo until further proceedings o October 31.

    However, a court of appeal sitting in Abuja on Thursday vacated the order restraining the conduct of the election and the NFF confirmed via a press release that its 78th Annual General Assembly and elections of a new Executive Committee to steer the affairs of the nation’s supreme football ruling body for the next four years, would take place today Friday.

    Among the 10 persons jostling to become the 44th NFF president are the current vice presidents, Seyi Akinwunmi (1st VP) and Shehu Dikko (2nd VP), as well as former Executive Committee Member and Chairman of Chairmen, Ibrahim Musa Gusau and former Executive Committee Member, Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande.

    Contesting for seats on the Executive Committee from the South-East are Emeka Inyama (Abia State); Chikelue Iloenyosi (Anambra State); Karibe Pascal Ojigwe (Abia State); Jude Benjamin Obikwelu (Anambra State) and; Emmanuel Ochiagha (Imo State).

    For North-central are Mohammed Alkali (Nasarawa State); Margaret Icheen (Benue State); Idris Abdullahi Musa (Kwara State); Daniel Amokachi (Benue State) and Benedict Akwuegbu (Plateau State).

    Current board member Aisha Falode tops the list of candidates from the South-south region, with Kenneth Nwaomucha (Delta State); Gregory Abang (Cross River State); Roland Abu Omomoh (Edo State); Poubeni Ogun (Bayelsa State); Jarret Tenebe (Edo State) and Essien Udofot (Akwa Ibom State) also vying for seats from that zone.

    Another current board member, Ganiyu Majekodunmi, leads the list of contestants for seats from the South-west, with Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Ondo State); Ayodeji Ogunjobi (Osun State); Olawale Gafar Liameed (Lagos State); Afolabi Taiwo Olugbenga (Osun State); Ayodeji Adegbenro (Ondo State) and Pelumi Jacob Olajengbesi (Osun State) is also in the race.

    Vying for the North-east seat are current board member Babagana Kalli (Borno State); Sajo Mohammed (Adamawa State), and Timothy Henman Magaji (Taraba State), while current board member Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Kano State) is the only candidate from the North-west.

  • High Court stops Sports minister, Pinnick from conducting NFF executive election

    High Court stops Sports minister, Pinnick from conducting NFF executive election

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, restrained the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, and President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick from conducting the NFF executive election scheduled for Sept. 30 in Edo.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by counsel for the claimants, Celsus Ukpong, ordered the the minister, Mr Pinnik or any person, acting on their instruction, to maintain a status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

    “Counsel for the claimants informed the court that the defendants are taking action that will adversely affect the subject matter of this case.

    “Parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante pending final order of this court,” he ruled.
    Justice Ekwo then reverted the matter to Oct. 31 for hearing.

    Newsmen reports that, in the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1376/2021, Harrison Jalla, Chief Victor Rumson Baribote, Austin Popo and National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF) are 1st to 4th claimants respectively.

    In the application dated and filed on Sept. 2, NFF, Pinnick and the minister are 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

    In the motion, the claimants’ sought an interim order restraining the defendants, his agent, employees, staff, officials or electoral committee from organising or conducting any election into any executive office of the NFF pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

    In the affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by Fayenengigha Jacob, a lawyer in the chamber of Ukpong, he said the defendants had been served with processes in the case and that NFF and Pinnick had entered appearance in the matter, while the minister, though served with court papers, he had not entered appearance.

    Jacob averred that one of the complaints in the matter was the undemocratic manner in which the NFF was being constituted resulting in depriving the majority of the stakeholders and members of the NFF from having a say or contributing to the development of football in Nigeria.

    According to him, the glory of Nigeria football has nosedived as a result of its undemocratic manner of the leadership of the said body.

    He said the complainants were deliberately excluded from the last congress held in Lagos for no just reason.

    “That the claimant had legitimately call on the leadership of the said body to set machinery in motion to amend the 2010 NFF statute that was manipulated to deprive the majority of the NFF members such as the Professional Football Association, the league, the coaches body and the players from participating in any election let alone of winning same.

    “That the said leadership of the NFF, the 2nd defendant (Pinnick), his agents, privies refused or neglected to allow the due process to take place in amending the said 2010 NFF statute,” he said.

    Jacob said while this matter is still pending in court the defendants are going ahead to announce and purportedly try to organise and conduct an election of the said body in September, 2022.

    He said the defendants had been served with the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction to restrain them from conducting any election into the executive offices of NFF until after the hearing and determination of the substance matter,

    According to him, while the motion on notice for interlocutory order restraining the defendants from disturbing the res in the matter, the defendants have drawn out a time table and set up an electoral committee to conduct an election to the offices in question on Friday 30th September, 2022 in Benin City Edo State.

    He said the substance of the matter would be defeated should the said election slated for September goes ahead and without hearing of the pending motions and substantive matter.

  • NFF Elections: Pinnick preaches peaceful, decent campaigns

    NFF Elections: Pinnick preaches peaceful, decent campaigns

    President of Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick has charged frontline candidates for this month’s NFF presidential election to conduct rancour-free, exemplary electioneering campaigns even as they seek the highest football-administration seat in the land.

    On Wednesday, Pinnick met with current NFF 1st Vice President Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi; current 2nd Vice President/LMC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko and; current Chairman of Chairmen, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who have all obtained forms to contest for the highest seat in Nigeria Football at the NFF Elective General Assembly scheduled for Benin City on 30th September.

    The FIFA Council Member, who also sits on the CAF Executive Committee, told the trio to seek for votes in a most decent and respectable manner, and not invoke the spirit of do-or-die for the race.

    “I have called this meeting to assure you all that I do not have a candidate in this race. Each and everyone of you is my candidate because we worked and walked together in the past eight years, seeking the best for Nigeria Football. I believe that you are all aiming for the position in order to be able to consolidate on the little gains that we were able to make and to preserve or even surpass our legacies.

    “I urge you all to go about the campaigns with utmost decency, avoid any form of acerbic outpourings and remember that we are all belong to the same family that worked for the best interests of Nigeria Football for the past eight years. I wish each and everyone of you the very best with the voting college.”

    Akinwunmi, who is also Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, is up against Gusau, who is also Chairman of the Zamfara State Football Association and Dikko, as well as a number of other aspirants including former international player Idah Peterside, CAF’s Head of Safety and Security, Christian Emeruwa and respected technocrat and former Chairman of Kano Pillars, Abba Abdullahi Yola.

    “The desire to serve should never be a do-or-die affair. We remain one indivisible family committed to the growth of Nigeria Football. I will still be there to provide support and encouragement to whoever wins. As a Member of FIFA and CAF’s highest bodies, I am still a principal stakeholder in Nigeria Football. Our football deserves the best candidate with the best programmes that will take the game to higher heights.”

    Other interested individuals have until midnight of Thursday, 8th September 2022 to pick up their forms.