NFF election: Odegbami expresses worry over role of ethnicity

Former Inexperienced Eagles captain, Chief Segun Odegbami, has suggested candidates from the southern a part of the nation looking for to be the following president of the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF), to have a rethink. He mentioned that it is going to be tough for a southerner to exchange the outgoing NFF boss, Pinnick Amaju.

The soccer legend, who was a part of the 1980 Inexperienced Eagles’ African Cup of Nations profitable squad additionally advised The Guardian yesterday that each one the 37 chairmen of the State Soccer Affiliation (FA) don’t have the authorized proper to forged a vote in any election organised by the NFF.

“The 37 State FA Chairmen are organising soccer of their states, not the golf equipment. It could sound technical, however the fact is that they don’t have the authorized proper to vote in any election organised by the NFF.”

Odegbami had mentioned in an interview with TVC on Tuesday that ethnic sentiment will play an enormous function within the September 30 NFF election scheduled to carry in Benin Metropolis, Edo State.

Odegbami has contested for the NFF prime job on three events with out success. Over 11 contestants are within the race to succeed Pinnick. They embody first vp of the NFF, Seyi Akinwunmi; Chairman of Chairmen, Ibrahim Gusau; former NFF secretary, Musa Amadu; CAF Director, Safety, Christian Emeruwa; former Tremendous Eagles goalkeeper and Media Officer, Peterside Idah; former participant, Benedict Akwuegbu; former SWAN President and Basic Supervisor, Heartland FC, Fan Ndubuoke, former Director, NSC and present Chief of Workers to Sports activities Minister, Abba Yola, former participant, Jonathan Akpoborie and former NFF board member, Amamze Uchegbulam.

Nevertheless, Odegbami mentioned it could be virtually unattainable for a Southerner to exchange Pinnick including that the outcomes can be decided by ethnicity.

The Guardian remembers a declaration by the northern caucus final week, when it acknowledged that Amaju Pinnick had used the tenure meant for the South. The physique hinged the North’s stance on perception that incumbent president, Pinnick’s second tenure has made one other southern president unattainable and it’s the flip of the north to provide the NFF president.

Southern candidates within the race are Seyi Akinwunmi (Lagos State), Christian Emeruwa (Abia State), Peterside Idah (Rivers State), Benedict Akwuegbu (Imo State), Fan Ndubuoke (Imo State), Amanze Uchegbulam (Imo State) and Jonathan Akpoborie (Delta State).

MEANWHILE, because the September 30 election date of the NFF attracts nearer, one of many candidates vying to exchange Amaju Pinnick, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, is having fun with the assist of the assorted State FA chairmen and different congressmen due to his robust human relationship with member of the soccer household over time.

The NFF election is scheduled to carry in Benin Metropolis, Edo State. Gusau, who’s the chairman of Zamfara Soccer Affiliation, can also be the chairman of chairmen within the present NFF board.

A majority of the 37 FA chairmen are mentioned to have thrown their weight behind Gusau due to his high quality management. He’s seen as an astute soccer administrator and chief, who had used his place to raised the a lot of his fellow congressmen within the Federation.

One of many State FA Chairmen advised The Guardian yesterday that Gusau would emerge victorious within the September 30 election due to his high quality management.

He mentioned: “Soccer politics is sort of completely different from the common political contest involving political events. There are different candidates vying for the workplace of NFF president, however the truth of the matter is that Gusau is one of the best amongst them.