NFF Elections: Official list of candidates released

The Nigeria Football Federation electoral committee has on Friday released the official list of candidates vying for places in its Executive Committee for 2018-2022.

In the list, four persons are contending for the presidency, including incumbent Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

Mr. Pinnick would be looking to break the tradition that has been the norm in football administration in Nigeria as no president has served two terms in a row at the NFF in recent years.

There are also Aminu Maigari, immediate past president of NFF.

Taiwo Ogunjobi, a former Nigeria international defender, also has his hat in the ring. He is presently chairman of the Osun State Football Association.

There is also Chinedu Okoye, proprietor of amateur league club, Bimo FC.

For the first vice president’s position, there are two candidates.

The incumbent, Seyi Akinwunmi, will have to defeat another South West chieftain, Sunday Dele-Ajayi.

Incumbent Ibrahim Gusau will slug it out with club proprietor, Patrick Ubah for the position of chairman of chairmen on the board.

For other positions on the executive committee, Rabiu Inuwa, a member of the present board, is the only candidate from the North West.

The battle in the North Central has been rather narrowed with the withdrawal of FCT FA chairman Musa Talle.

However, Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’ and Honourable Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, ranking members of the board, have to vie with Busari Ishola, chairman of Kwara State FA.

Similarly, incumbents Babagana Kalli and Musa Duhu from the North East have to contend with Farouk Yarma Adamu.

In the South East, Chidi Ofor Okenwa (presently Chairman of the Nigeria National League), will vie with Enyimba FC chairman, Felix Anyansi-Agwu (ranking Member of Board); Jude Obikwelu (Vice Chairman, Anambra State FA); Emmanuel Ochiagha (Vice Chairman, Imo State FA) and; Emeka Inyama (former Chairman of the NNL and former Chairman of NFF Marketing and Sponsorship, and also Chairman of NPFL side Abia Warriors).

From the South West, only Ganiyu Majekodunmi, chairman of Ogun State FA, is seeking an Executive Committee member position. From the South-South, Oswald Atuake from Cross River State is up against Emmanuel Ibah, chairman of the Akwa Ibom State FA.

Elections into the NFF Executive Committee 2018-2022 will hold as scheduled on Thursday, September 20 in the city of Katsina.

FIFA is expected to send a top-ranking official as an observer to the elections.

(NAN)