Patrick Ekeji, Amos Adamu differ on NFF's September 20th Election

Patrick Ekeji, Amos Adamu differ on NFF's September 20th Election by Tajudeen Ahmad Veteran football administrators in Nigeria, Dr. Patrick Ekeji and Chief Amos Adamu have reacted to the upcoming September 20th Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in Katsina, where the election of the new leadership of the nation's football governing body will take place. In their separate interviews with journalists covering the ongoing National Youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara State, the two football technocrats said whenever the leadership of football in Nigeria is to be chosen, the best set of people that will steer the ship to a glorious land should emerge, affirming that the three candidates going for the office of NFF president are capable. Recall that the incumbent NFF President Amaju Pinnick is contesting alongside the immediate past President Aminu Maigari and Former Secretary General of the body Taiwo Ogunjobi for the prestigious office in the Abuja glasshouse. When asked about his view on the statement made by the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung on the upcoming election, which he reportedly described as 'an effort in futility', Dr. Ekeji submitted that Barrister Dalung is on the same page with position of the Federal Government and decision of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo that the Nigeria Football house is order and under the leadership of the incumbent Amaju Pinnick. He said this decision was bound on every Nigerian, including the Sports Minister who is also a legal luminary. "I share with the directive of the Federal Government on the matter and I want to believe Barrister Solomon Dalung, who is a law abiding citizen cannot overrule the decision of the Vice President." "They are both lawyers and their statements on the matter is the same. Journalists should not misunderstand him", said Dr. Ekeji. The former Director General of The National Sports Commission said he hoped the September 20th NFF Election produces the best candidate to occupy the glasshouse for the next 4 years. However in his opinion, former Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Chief Amos Adamu said the case of leadership tussle in NFF is still in court and he could not comment on whether the upcoming election is right or wrong. "You know the case is still in the court. If a case is in court, it's not proper for anyone to comment about it." "I am not close to what they are doing in NFF again so I can't comment on either the election or candidates", submitted Chief Adamu. The duo also suggested that more should be done in terms of organization and administration of the National Youth Games for its objectives to be achieved.