NFF Elections: Stakeholders Demand All-Inclusive Leadership, Positive Change
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – With the September 30 date for elections into the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) offices fast approaching, stakeholders in the ball game are demanding an all-inclusive leadership and commitment to positive change from the candidates.
Speaking on the elections slated to hold in Benin City, the Edo State capital, some of the stakeholders, under the auspices of Nigeria Football Progressive Forum (NFPF), maintained that there was an urgent need for all concerned to shun political rancour and come together towards moving the Federation forward.
Their patriotic submission is that the dwindling fortunes of Nigerian football demand urgent measures for a turnaround to enable the country to regain its lost glory both on the continent and on the global stages.
Convener of the Forum and Chairman of Abuja-based City FC, Chidi Okonkwo, said Nigerian football had suffered huge setbacks and desperately yearns for a positive change, adding that what the nation’s football requires in this trying period is selfless leadership devoid of personal interest.
According to him; “It is very easy for each of the presidential candidates to say what they want to do and what not, but for one to run the Federation, he needs God’s grace. This is why all hands must be on deck as nobody knows it all and that is the main aim of this gathering”.
Okonkwo, whose club plays in the Nigeria National League (NNL), explained that the forum was a bi-partisan body of patriotic stakeholders committed to positive change, anchored particularly on the recently-approved 10- year Football Masterplan.
He said; “The forum has declared support for any NFF presidential candidate committed to the new Masterplan and the reconciliation of all football stakeholders. We are also in support of any candidate, who is ready to cooperate with government devoid of personal interest to find a lasting solution to issues bedeviling Nigerian football”.
On his part, former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Godfrey Gaiya, commended the Forum’s Convener for bringing all stakeholders together to rub minds and chart a new way forward for Nigeria’s football.
Hear him; “It’s a good thing that we are finally meeting and talking. For a long time, that silence in the footballing circle was disturbing. So, this is good and I commend the initiative of the Convener.
“This has allowed us to at least ventilate and air what we think should be the way out for Nigerian football. That this has started, I think, is indeed the right step to take, and coming two weeks to the NFF Elective Congress is a good omen.”
Gaiya said with the development, “At least, people can now listen to the candidates, see what they have and what promises they offer for Nigerian football and what they can do to make a difference”, adding there is no denying the fact that the country’s football has not had the best of moments.
“If this assertion is true, then one has cause to worry for the leadership of the football house”, he said and pleaded with the elections delegates to choose and elect the very best who can change the fortunes of Nigerian football, irrespective of tribe, religion or any other affiliation.
In his intervention, an ex-international, Emmanuel Babayaro, harped on the need for all stakeholders to be carried along in the NFF leadership, noting that a house divided against itself cannot stand.
The former goalkeeper, who noted that the media, despite being important stakeholders have always been neglected by football officials, said given its vital role in growing and promoting the game, the media must be carried along in the development processes.
“When you talk about football business, you cannot do without the members of the press. When we talk about the English Premiership, which is the best-run League in the world today, we talk about the media.
“We talk about South African football, FIFA, and so on. What makes them all tick is the media. Unfortunately, it is disheartening to note that the media is always kept aside in Nigerian football today”, Babayaro said.
Furthermore, he urged the incoming NFF executive committee to be more open to constructive criticism, stating that the NFF leadership must look into the several issues surrounding the country’s football, especially the many loopholes needing attention.
For the ex-Plateau United goal-tender; “The incoming executive committee members must take a look at our football holistically and review some of the laws and NFF statutes which have been a constant bone of contention and confusion”.
In his intervention, NFF’s First Vice-President, Seyi Akinwunmi, who is also a presidential candidate in the upcoming elections, expressed happiness that the meeting was devoid of any rancor or partisanship.
He said; “People will look at all the presidential candidates present and say ‘oh they are here’. But there are other candidates, who are contesting for other positions in the NFF executive committee other than the presidential office, also in attendance.
“So, that’s how our football should be and I am very happy that this has come up. We don’t know how far it will go, but I think it is a good start. The more we have this kind of camaraderie the better.”
Continuing, Akinwunmi said; “You will recall that I was one of the major candidates to attend the declaration of another candidate. I did that on purpose because this is what I wanted and I am glad that we have gone down that route”.
Akinwunmi, who currently serves as Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), urged other candidates to ensure they remained as one and focus on football which is the main priority, saying; That’s what we are all about in this sphere. So, football (should be) first”.
Goodwill messages to the Forum also trickled in from other stakeholders, including former NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu and Chairman of Anambra State Football Association (ASFA), Chikelue Iloenyosi.
Meanwhile, the 2022 NFF Electoral Committee had on Monday, September 12, 2022, cleared a total of 11 persons to contest for the position of NFF President at the Federation’s elections scheduled for September 30 in Benin. – With NAN reports
