NFF Election: The Odds Against Amaju Return. Why he May Not Return

...Amaju Pinnick Wants to be Re-elected, Relies on Power of Imcubency, FIFA And CAF Backings ....Aminu Maigairi Confidents of Government Support and Northern Candidacy ....Ambassador Chris Giwa Hopeful of Court Judgement By Niyi Busari Everything that has to do with football politics has taken the back seat for now, simply because the 2018 world cup which Nigeria will be part of, is few weeks away. This reason may not be far from the truth, as Nigerians and the Federal government who are football lovers do not want any distraction for the NFF which will indirectly or directly affect the preparation and performance of the Super Eagles at the World Cup finals in Russia, also with the fact that the general election is coming up next year and if Super Eagles perform well at the world cup, the achievement will serve as a campaign instrument for the ruling APC led government. Now to the subject matter, the present NFF board led by Amaju Pinnick came into office on September 30th, 2014 and expectedly, the tenure ends by September this year which marks the end of their four years of being at helm of Nigerian football affairs. Now let us consider the three candidates that stand the chance of becoming NFF president after the world cup. 1) Amaju Pinnick (the Destiny Child) Despite Supreme Court ruling on Friday 16th May 2018, the NFF electoral committee headed by Barrister Mohammed Sanni Katu rolled out timetable and urged aspirants to pick forms as from Monday May 21st while the form sales closes on June 4th 2018 before the commencement of 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia usher in a break. According to Sanni Katu election will hold on 29th September 2018, a day to the expiration of this present board tenure. Amaju Pinnick recently in Abuja boldly told journalists that nothing will stop him from coming back for the second term, a feat no NFF president has achieved in the past. Pinnick confidence may be drawn from being the present NFF president and the fact the board members assured him of their support. Also, aside enjoying the power of imcubency, he hopes his position and influence of CAF and FIFA play a vital role in his second term ambition. His return as NFF president will largely be a function of the Super Eagles performance at the mundial. If Super Eagles fail, he should not bother himself about his second term in office as Nigerians will not listen to any excuse, however, if Super Eagles could shine in Russia then he stand a chance of winning the re-election. However, many of his board members (kinsmen) from the South-South felt deserted during his first term as they complained he favoured the Northern board members by fixing them in juicy committee as well as FIFA and CAF appointments. Little wonder, he recently lobbied and made Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah a member of African Nation Cup Organising Committee. Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, a wealthy football lover fell out with Amaju Pinnick but the former was quick to mend fences with the appointment. Pinnick needs to be remembered that some of his board members are aggrieved, they claimed they are not being carried along in most of the sponsorship deals secured during his reign. They claimed that he and LMC Chairman, Sheu Dikko do it all alone and therefore are bent on forcefully bring his ambition to an end. 2) Ambassador Christopher Giwa Whoever thinks Ambassador Chris Giwa is a forgotten story should have a quick rethink. The Plateau state born politician is still vibrant and working behind the scene. Hope rises for Giwa recently, as the Supreme Court ruling of April 27th that clearly set aside the Appeal Court ruling that it was wrong in dismissing the Jos High Court which ordered tje continuation of the case . Though the Supreme Court turned down the Giwa-led board request to hear the suit on its merit as the highest court as it did not meet the condition required. He has his contacts in government as it is rumoured that the Minister of Youths and Sports might need his support in his ambition to become Plateau state in 2019. Giwa is a very strong politician in Plateau state hence, the minister of Sports may reach an agreement between Chris Giwa, Solomon Dalung and the Federal Government as in the case of 'wash my back i wash your back'. The agreement may soon begin to play out as soon a sthe world cup is over. What happen after the world cup? Time will tell. 3) Alhaji Aminu Maigari Former NFF president, Alhaji Aminu Maigairi has indicated interest in coming back to the office where he ruled for four years. A strong politician, brilliant plotter and a man who knows how to get what he wants. He is confident of current government backing and endorsement of two serving ministers. He also has the backing of two former chairmen of the house committee on Sports as well as the support present Northern NFF board members and he is well positioned to return as president of the NFF. He has started campaigning ahead of others but has to do more to cross the hurdle ahead of him.