NRA Elections: "I Have Fulfilled My Campaign Promise Of Handing Over To Northerner - President

NRA Elections: "I Have Fulfilled My Campaign Promise Of Handing Over To Northerner - President

By Niyi Busari

The President, Nigeria Referees Association, Otunba Tade Azeez has said he has not reneged on his promise to hand over to a Northerner after a successful two-term tenure, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

He however reassured Nigerians that the referees' election scheduled for Saturday will be free and fair.

The Lagos State Football Association vice chairman is ineligible to contest after completion of two term tenure stating that all arrangements to achieve a hitch free election in Ilorin, Kwara State have been put in place.

"We are ready for the election on Saturday in Ilorin. Tade Azeez told BSN Sports.

He added, "Every other arrangement for hitch free and fair elections are almost done.

Reacting to breaking of promises he made few years ago, he said, "There's nothing to it, I don't have an arrangement with anybody. What I said is that if I finish as president from the south, it will move to the North.

"So far so good everybody that has indicated interest are from the North, nobody is yet to indicate interest from the South.

He unequivocally described the allegation of mismanagement of funds as mere blackmail adding that the NPFL and NNL owed the Association over N600 million Naira, this aside economic effects of COVID 19 during his tow terms tenure.

"Their blackmail can't work. And there's nothing to cover in NRA.

The truth is the NRA is broke, we're coming from Covid19, and other economic challenges, so where do we see the money?

"How many years of not paying match indemnities for Referees, so where's the money that I'm covering?

"It's an open secret that there's no money in the NRA. NPFL is indebted to the referees for over ₦400 million, the NNL is indebted to around ₦200 million.

"So if the money does not come in, how do we make the gain?

So it's just unfortunate, but however,

So I don't understand this desperation on their part.

"For me, whoever wins, we support." He concluded