By DAILYSPORTS NIGERIA on August 29, 2022

The current executive committee board of the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) is where absurdity thrives wholesale without the leadership caring a hoot to the feelings of football fans, major stakeholders of the supposedly beautiful game holds water democratically rather than outright/openly display of impunity. 

Let me once again restate that it was why I have distanced myself from the regime because of the arrogant way and manner with which decisions have been taken that by its arrow head, Amaju Pinnick  who conducts the affairs of the body as if it is his sole and few others privately owned enterprise. Such decisions have destroyed instead of improving the game

For the records, I have been on this beat for three decades plus. It is interesting to note also that I started as a Reporter, traversed through major newspapers like the old good and great Daily Times when it was the newspaper conglomerate and others in Nigeria’s print media industry space.

Just to refresh your memories dear numerous readers, for those of you who just came across me to know how grounded I am on this beat cum this noble profession, journalism and let me say it without prejudice that the body language of Amaju Pinnick and his cohorts towards conducting free, fair and transparent election come September 30, leave sour taste in the mouth and much to desire too if you like.

For instance, the secret way both Electrol and Appeals Committees were constituted without the input or even mere mention during the last NFF Annual General Meeting in Lagos, gave them out as haven hidden agenda as fate would like to expose them, names of certain people emerged as chairmen, members and alternate members who would oversee the forthcoming elective congress in Benin, Edo State, further portrayed Amaju Pinnick and his fellow bed mates as haven sinister plans for the forthcoming NFF Presidency election.   

In this week’s column, I will relay the thinking of major football stakeholders on the secrecy which attained the ‘appointment’ of NFF Electrol Committees without recourse to the statutes. It is against the above inflammable background therefore that some stakeholders gathered last week to kick vehemently against the process adopted in appointing members of NFF Electrol and Appeals Committees in the forthcoming poll in September 30.

Daily Sports was one of the online portals which ran the story last week and to be honest with you found it so disturbing, hence it again took centre stage today on this usually critical Monday page, where more light was thrown on it via analysis, and its dangerous implications. Such harmful step by the few interest party hell bent in ruining this election again by handing over to status quo or stooges. Worrisome omen if not nipped on the bud, Status quo must be dismantled this time. No more, no less! These gangsters that have held our once upon a time flourishing football down are at it again. It is instructive to note here that our football has drastically nosedived of late administratively, technically and tactically which have translated on the field of play by the Super Eagles.

Before I link you dear readers up with the stand of some of the stakeholders who were so dismayed on the unilateral appointment of the Electoral and Appeals Committees by Amaju Pinnick and his men, I must restate that it is not enough to just point out these anomalies and go back to sleep without stepping it up decisively with actions.

 It is on record that I have never pretended for once over my discontent on the administrative style or otherwise of Amaju Pinnick. The man, in short, is arrogance personified and so cares less what worries his immediate polity on his actions and inaction.  And if you are a regular reader of this page every Monday you would bear me out that I have also confessed of being one of the frontline Sports Journalists who propelled Amaju Pinnick when he was like drafted to head NFF after he did well in Delta State sports which deceived major football stakeholders into believing he would replicate such drive. But as it is today NFF dwarfed him therefore exposing his inadequacies’.

Pronto, I distanced myself from him and his ineptitude administration till today. Immediately he manipulated the process for the employment of then Super Eagles technical adviser, Gernot Rohr which was his very first assignment. After the technical committee interviewed and picked a sound hand for recommendation, Amaju Pinnick emerged from where ever only known to him, sadly imposed Gernot Rohr. Hell was let loosed. Chris Green then chairman of NFF technical committee questioned the rationale and described Rohr that time as an ill-wind that would blow nobody any good on the Super Eagles technical and tactical in-depth.

  It would be recalled that he headed the technical committee. As usual, such assignments are vested with them to supervise the process and make recommendations so it was done by Barrister Chris Green led committee. He is presently Commissioner for Sports in Rivers State. Green stoutly said no to Amaju Pinnick’s system of shifting the goal post at the middle of the game, trust it caused ripples amongst them and Green as great visionary and sportsman let go but vowed never to spend a minute longer than necessary upon the expiration of that term. The rest is now bad history.

Green never sought re-election into NFF. He resorted to administering the game at his State level now;  just take a look at what has become of football today in the oil rich Rivers State. Chris Green is a highly principled and meticulous man to the core. He saw all that is happening today in our football coming.

Without much ado, he is a sound administrator, be it football or other areas.  Governor Nyesom Wike has insisted on him because of his ability to deliver successfully. Note that great relief came handy when another prodigy, Christian Emeruwa wholeheartedly threw his hat into football field, showed deep and sustained interest to contest for the par Presidency of NFF in order to rescue the fast declining Nigerian football in all facets.  A core football administrator par excellence and foremost team player of the first order who has seen it all in all fronts in football administration. The very suave administrator is now working with Confederation of African Football, CAF in Cairo, Egypt.

After his declaration, all sorts of characters have joined the fray or contest and most unfortunately nearly all are not bringing anything concrete i.e. value to the table.  The mood amongst Nigerians and her numerous football fans are unambiguously clear, not ready to have yet another non performer as NFF President come September 30. Hence Christian Emeruwa is the answer.

Pundits, analysts and other close watchers and followers of Nigerian football who wished it well clamour for an administrator that would lift the game to greater heights not one coming for the usual fun of it again. It is against that backdrop that a personality who willingly over the years articulated a workable blueprint for Nigerian football development, Dr. Christian Emeruwa will be on the ballot for the NFF elective congress on September 30. If we are truly tired of these pretenders coming these years to destroy, this man in CAF should be fully supported to ascend the apex football body’s top shot for the good of the game in the land. Period.

 Right now Sports Minister, Sunday Dare is like he has not seen/read the manipulation going on to install a puppet government in NFF. Presently, this is not the best of time to encourage a lame duck to head our football. Things have gone astray therein. What the game needs presently is a unifier who has what it takes to apply in order to ensure this House did not fall.

If we must be truthful about it, it is obvious that Christian Emeruwa has the capacity to reinvent Nigerian football from its present very sorry state to sound footing. He doesn’t blow hot air about his antidote for Nigerian football. Above all, he is not a pretender to the terrain. He is loaded to the fullest for the growth of the game in Nigeria.

He is compliant with the modern way and manner football is being administered globally today not an analogue administrator.  He rubs minds with the movers and shakers of continental and world football personalities and would bring such along with him to NFF.

He should be supported unconditionally. This government says it does business with genuine, incorruptible, then government’s representative, Sports Minister, Sunday Dare need not look too far to grab this kid wizard in CAF, Christian Emeruwa,  full of upwardly mobile fresh ideas amongst the lot that have lined up for NFF top job..  If this government truly wants to enthrone solid and baggage free NFF executive committee board head, Emeruwa stands very tall among these others for the job.

Without any prejudice what for instance are Shehu Dikko and Seyi Adewunmi who have been part and parcel of this obvious failed Amaju Pinnick administration bringing new to Nigerian football. Seyi Adewunmi is the first Vice President in this current NFF dispensation while Shehu Dikko is second Vice President in charge of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), does it mean that it is now turn by turn?

Both men are pillars behind this Amaju Pinnick’s maladministration that has left our football worst than they met it. Now the men are vying to succeed him. What a country. Is Nigeria truly a country without defined system? What really has gone amiss?

Another candidate that has no business in the forthcoming NFF election is Musa Ahmadu former General Secretary of the body. Keen Nigerian football followers have been asking what he forgot in the NFF  office, adding that the state of the game and mood in the country today does not need persons who want to just answer the name of being former NFF president. No jokes, Nigeria’s football of today needs precision President who knows what it takes to administer the beautiful game in every true sense and meaning of the word and also harness its full potentials Nigeria provides.

Such time for shadow as NFF President can never be now it has gone for good. The game presently needs a visionary, a builder, who would bring back vigour, vitality, confidence, hold and steady back into football polity that would lift it out of present physiological lows. Christian Emeruwa in all intents and purposes is the man oo!! Note that this columnist is not supporting his candidacy just for the fun of it but because he is the kind of material Nigerian football needs now to save it from total and imminent extinction. We should be too wary to allow bad history repeat itself. History rather good history ought to be repeated. Clearly stated Amaju Pinnick and his men are bad news for Nigerian football therefore must be summarily flushed out.       

While Christian Emeruwa is busy selling his programs for the revitalization of the fast dying game to stakeholders, Amaju Pinnick and his gangster are busy sorting out ways to manipulate the election through any and all means possible, while other pretenders to the job are seeking endorsement from government.

Christian Emeruwa is unassuming, patriotic, focused, determined to ensure that football which has become our national asset will be preserved to the letter.

 Let it be clearly restated here that it will amount to total disservice/suicidal and disaster to Nigerians who love great football displays which is the product of enduring administration coupled with vision, forthright, revered and foresight to be cheated again. And Christian Emeruwa is an embodiment of these and more as a vibrant young man which today’s world embraces wholesale.  He is an astute fellow and so our football would be in safer and capable hand from September 30 in Benin, Edo State with him on the driver’s seat.   Keep shooting hard till next week. Meanwhile, we wait!!

Source DAILYSPORTS NIGERIA

Posted August 29, 2022

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