By Mark Baber
October 1 – The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has a new president. Amaju Pinnick (pictured), chairman of the Delta State Sports Council and the the Delta State FA, was elected with a comprehensive victory after two rounds of voting, though the pathway to election yesterday was typical of the turmoil within Nigerian football.
The day had started inauspiciously with the news that Samson Ebomhe, chairman of the NFF electoral committee, had been arrested, but he was released after a “chat” and the outgoing president, Aminu Maigari, opened proceedings in Warri with a farewell speech.
In the first round of voting Pinnick won 25 votes, short of the two thirds required for an outright victory. Taiwo Ogunjobi from Osun polled 9 votes. Dominic Iorfa from Benue State polled 6 votes, Shehu Diko from Kaduna won 4 votes whilst no one voted for Amanze Uchegbulam, Imo or Mike Umeh, Anambra.
In the second round Pinnick polled 32 votes – with his rivals Iorfa on 8 votes and Ogunjobi on 4 votes.
With Nigerian football in turmoil, Pinnick has his work cut out to restore order and has declared one of his main policy objectives is to “create an atmosphere of stability and peace through various developmental models.”
With potential court action still hanging over the NFF, and even this election result likely to be challenged, Pinnick vowed during his election campaign to, “Reduce to appropriate levels litigation and cases involving the NFF.”
Pinnick has promised to “encourage a genuine but robust relationship between the NFF and all stakeholders,” and his platform includes a commitment to seek more private sector participation in Nigeria’s football development.
It remains to be seen if the losing candidates, and influential figures around Chris Giwa who regards himself as the legitimately elected president, are willing to recognise Pinnick’s authority.
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