By Victor Enyinnaya on September 20, 2018

As the stage is set for the 2018 NFF election slated for Kastina today, September 20, the gladiators in thee frantically putting finishing touches to their plans of ensuring their opponents are outwitted for their electoral gains. Their strategies are varied and enticing enough to swell delegates to their sides. Their thought out marketing and trading are said to be designed to endure them to the hearts of delegates have been christened beautiful bride for the epic football polls.

At stake is the number one seat of the nation’s football governing body and the executive committee positions till 2022? However, Africa and the world are eager waiting for the outcome of today’s election of the NFF that has generated thrills and frills due to government’s open interest on who it wants to become the President of the local football body. The awareness is heightened that all eyes are on this election. It has been said to be a supremacy battle between the two major political parties in the land but FIFA and CAF are in firm grips of the situation to ensure a candidate that would improve the lot of the game and her players would emerge not minding whose ox is gored. 

It is no longer hiding who’s who that is contesting for the number one plumb seat. What is at stake is who braces the tape at the end of the contest.

We all are aware of the intrigues that have characterised the run up and how it has all been neutralised thus far, but feelers from Abuja are still conflicting that the government is not done yet on its spirited quest to stop the incumbent President, Amaju Pinnick, as several other fresh moves to stop him have been attempted.

However there was unconfirmed report about an attempted bid to kidnap him the other day which was unsuccessful.  But there has however been assurance that the election would hold as FIFA and CAF observers are already in the country for the election.

Again, still unconfirmed report said Aminu Maigari, one of the candidates for the Presidency is having certificate problem but several attempt to reach him for a word proved unsuccessful as he did not pick or return my calls.

As it is everything is in place for the polls in the bubbling city of Kastina that is smelling fresh air for the NFF election that would throw up new executive committees members and its President. A member of the outgoing board who spoke to Daily Sports on condition of anonymity said the coast would be clear for Amaju Pinnick as the intimidation by the government and its agencies have swell sympathy for him and all those that are in his camp.

The usual reliable source also pointed out that there are indications that those that want Amaju Pinnick and some of his board member out are still at work trying to buy over delegates with huge sums and how far they will go remains to be seen as most of the members that would vote have sympathy for Amaju whom according the dependable source has done well for the growth of the sport and needed to consolidate the gains for the next four years.

According to them, if the Delta State-born administration survives the multiple maneuvers to illegally stop, Nigerian football would be the best for it.

The source pointed out that the President has used his wide network to bring the country to the front burner in African continent and the world and would need our support to get them off ground for the good of the game in the country.

It was authoritatively learnt also those wanted to stop the election and could not and are not tired and vowed to stop at nand are not tired and vowed to stop at nothing to push Amaju away by all means.

The atmosphere is said to be clam but not without vigilance by all. The underground election matters are intensifying and each group at its best to come out tops.

As at the of filing this report, the current President of the body, Amaju Pinnick, despite the antics of the government to create tension, disaffection and false accusations against the incumbent that have failed woefully in all facets. Amaju Pinnick seems to be having upper hand and likely to be returned after the election today except in the event of the unexpected, which is the characteristic of the game of football itself.

Head or tail let the better side that has shown lots of grit, foresight, investment and games friendliness win.

•Photo shows incumbent NFF President Amaju Pinnick

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 20, 2018

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