Who succeed Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnnick as President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF?
The race to answer that multi-million dollar-question begins tomorrow, Thursday, August 18, 2022, when members of congress of the country’s soccer house congregate in Lagos to, among other things, chart a roadmap for the Federation’s elective congress holding later in the year.
At the end of the meeting, which is the NFF’s 77th annual general assembly, AGA, members would have succeeded in evolving a package that would engender a seamless congress in which every member would have a voice.
A statement by the NFF revealed that the meeting will hold at the Best Western Plus Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. And chairmen and secretaries of the country’s 36 states and FCT football associations, the leagues, coaches’ association, referees association, and players’ union are expected to attend.
Others attendees include members of the NFF executive committee, invited dignitaries, NFF management and staff, as well as a number of other stakeholders.
Pinnick, who has held sway as NFF President since 2014, had, on Monday, restated his resolve to relinquish the position, thus opening the door wide for fresh heads to try new ideas.
Pinnick was first elected in September 2014. He was re-elected as the NFF President on September 20, 2018, has been the First Vice President of Confederation of African Football between September 2018 and July 2019. He is currently a member of the Organising Committee for FIFA competitions.
Despite his impressive CV, Pinnick’s two terms have not been particularly successful in terms of reorganizing and returning Nigerian football to winning ways. His tenure has been widely criticized for his gross failure to make the nation’s local league productive and attractive to fans and major stakeholders. Football buffs are also unimpressed about his inability to rise up to the demands of modern football.
Pinnick’s strings of failures are hallmarked by Nigeria’s painful failure to qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Pinnick’s tenure has also had its dose of crises. Even the NFF’s 77th annual general assembly, AGA, has been a victim of controversy. The event scheduled to have held last December in Lagos could not hold because of an ex parte injunction issued by a Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the direct result of a suit filed by some football stakeholders.
If Thursday’s meeting goes on as scheduled, the event will afford gladiators in the race to succeed Amaju Pinnick the opportunity to sell their candidature.
Gladiators who have thrown their hats into the ring so far include: former Super Eagles players- Benedict Akwuegbu, Peterside Idah and Jonathan Akpoborie. Others are top Confederation of African Football (CAF) official, Dr. Christian Emeruwa, Imo FA Chairman, Amanze Uchegbulam, and former SWAN president, Fan Ndubuoke.
Pinnick has promised to support whoever becomes the next NFF President.