Amaju Pinnick Breaks 2nd Term Jinx, Returns As NFF President

By Admin Amaju Pinnick was on Thursday reelected as Nigeria Football Federation president for another four years after winning the popular vote in the NFF election in Katsina. Pinnick won 34 votes while his immediate predecessor Aminu Maigari, who was eventually cleared to contest the election after facing disqualification from the race over issues over the certificates he presented for the poll, scored eight votes. Former NFF Secretary-General Taiwo Ogunjobi secured two votes while Chinedu Okoye didn’t get any votes. Seyi Akinwunmi retained his position as 1st vice-president after polling 41 votes. His challenger Sunday Dele-Ajayi scored two votes. Ibrahim Gusau retained his seat as Chairman of Chairmen on the board with 42 of 44 votes. His rival Ifeanyi Ubah withdrew from the election. Ahmed Fresh, Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, Emmanuel Ibah, Ganiyu Majekodunmi, Sharif Inuwa, Enyimba chairman Felix Anyansi-Agwu and Chidi Ofo-Okenwa also retained their seats. FIFA representatives Luca Piazza and Solomon Mudege were among football chiefs who witnessed the election. In his acceptance speech, Pinnick said he would focus on youth football development. He said, “We respectfully ask for more support as we start a new tenure, during which we aim to consolidate on our vision of building a sustainable football culture for our dear country, and continue the great march towards ensuring financial independence for the NFF. “We owe this country a lot, and we are committed to working hard to give back so much to it. We intend to set up a reconciliation team in a few days to reach out to aggrieved members of the football family with a view to bringing everyone under one umbrella for the purpose of a united front in the pursuit of the greater good for Nigerian football.” Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa congratulated Pinnick on his victory at the NFF election. Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Charles Aniagwu, thanked football stakeholders in the country for reelecting Pinnick, who comes from Delta State. The statement read, “On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I congratulate you, Mr Amaju Pinnick, an illustrious son of Delta State, on your reelection as NFF President. “Your re-election no doubt is a confirmation of the giant strides and contributions you have made in revolutionising football administration globally. As a sport-passionate nation, Nigerians are proud of the rich assemblage of visionary and dedicated football administrators in the NFF Executive Committee led by Amaju Pinnick.”