NFF wary of Kalu’s FIFA ambition

The ambition of former Abia state governor and billionaire, Orji Uzor Kalu to replace Sepp Blatter as president of world football governing body, FIFA is generating a lot of concerns within the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
The body however appears reluctant to be drawn into declaring support for Kalu.
Uzor-Kalu, declared his intention to replace Blatter in the February 2016 elections, but that move is now a subject of discussion among top football enthusiasts. Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick stated yesterday that the matter will be discussed by the executive committee of the NFF and its position will be made known.
“All I can say is that every decision regarding who to support for the FIFA election will be taken by the executive committee.

Read also: Korean billionaire set to battle Platini for FIFA hot seat

“But let me also add that there is this eligibility clause to run for the FIFA election. Article 13 sub-section 1. States that you must be in active football for the last five years as a referee, chairman of a club, president of a federation, member of executive committee and you must be actively connected to running of football in the last five years.
“The NFF executive committee will surely take a decision on the matter. We appreciate his contributions to Nigeria football and we will support him in any capacity.
“Orji Uzor Kalu has done well for Nigerian football. The history of the game will not be complete without mentioning his name. He was instrumental to Enyimba’s winning of the champions league back to back in 2003 and 2004. But that was a long time ago,” Pinnick said.

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now