Nigerian football politicians are already streaming into Katsina, the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The objective is to elect new members into the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Eleven people will be coming through the Katsina election into the board.
They will join others with subsisting mandate. These are the four football leagues.
All is set now at the Kabir Aliyu Maska Conference Hall at the Local Government Commission.
Top in the contest are those for the presidency. They are the incumbent, Amaju Pinnick, the immediate past president, Aminu Maigari, former board member, Taiwo Ogunjobi and Chinedu Okoye, a proprietor of amateur club, Bimo FC of Adamawa State.
For the position of 1st Vice President are the incumbent, Seyi Akinwunmi who is also the chairman of Lagos FA and Sunday Dele-Ajayi, current board member and chairman of Ondo State FA.
There are two contestants for the position of Chairman of the various 37 states’ FA chairmen including that of the Federal Capital City.
Going head-to-head are Ibrahim Gusau of Zamfara State FA and Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, a club owner and Chairman of the Anambra State FA.
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).
The battle in the North Central has been somewhat narrowed with the withdrawal of FCT FA chairman Musa Talle. However, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’ and Honourable Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, ranking Members of the Board, have to contend with Alhaji Busari Ishola, chairman of Kwara State.
milarly, incumbents Babagana Kalli and Musa Duhu from the North East have to contend with Farouk Yarma Adamu.
From the South West, only Ganiyu Majekodunmi, chairman of Ogun State FA, is seeking an Executive Committee member position.
So also is it in the North West where Sharif Inuwa the Kano State FA Chairman is the sole candidate.
However, a credible source in the NFF informed www.sportsvillagesquare.com that the two candidates who are standing unopposed will still require simple majority to get on board. “it won’t just be a stroll in the park”.
From the South South, Oswald Atuake from Cross River State is up against Emmanuel Ibah, chairman of the Akwa Ibom State FA.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
