NFF Elections To Hold On Friday After Appeal Court Ruling

The 78^th Annual General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation is set to go on as planned on Friday in Benin City, capital of Edo State, alongside elections of a new Executive Committee to usher in new executives to lead the federation in the next four years.

The Amaju Pinnick-led administration tenure elapsed on September 20 and all is now set to ensure a new administration is elected.

According to the NFF, A ruling by the Court of Appeal on Thursday morning ordered a stay-of-execution of an ex parte injunction secured by some fellows a fortnight ago to stop the elections, meaning that the coast is now clear for an interesting contest for the NFF presidency by 10 prominent individuals and dozen other notable persons jostling for seats on the Executive Committee.

The Ministry of Sports had earlier warned on Wednesday that the elections should not go ahead, urging the NFF to abide by the court order.

More representatives of the world football-governing body, FIFA, arrived in Benin City just before noon on Thursday.

Solomon Mudege, FIFA’s Head of Development Programmes for Africa and Gelson Fernandes, a former Swiss international player who is FIFA’s Director for Africa, were in an excited mood.               

Mudege said: “We are happy to be here and to witness another milestone in the history of Nigeria Football.

"We believe it is going to be an interesting Congress with the elections.”

Among the 10 persons jostling to succeed Amaju Melvin Pinnick as Nigeria football’s supremo are current vice presidents Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi (1^st VP) and Mallam Shehu Dikko (2^nd 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 is also an immediate past General Secretary, Barr. Musa Amadu, and Head of Safety and Security of the Confederation of African Football, Dr Christian Emeruwa.

Also in the hunt for the exalted post are 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 1^st Vice President, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam, pulled out of the race during the week.