By Temitope Adefemi-Olowo, Abuja on December 10, 2016
National Stadium, Abuja, venue of today’s national delegates’ 2016 election of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), is set as delegates from the 19 states where the Club maintains chapters are already in town to cast their ballots for their preferred candidates in various positions.
The air is relaxed according to our Correspondent covering the event. The usual horse trading which normally characterises every delegate’s election is not lacking since the arrival of the delegates as candidates with their campaign managers made last minutes moves to swing voters in their favour through enticing electioneering campaign promises.
According to investigation, all the positions have contestants from opposing camps except that of the National Chairman where Prince Vincent Okumagba looks set to be returned unopposed.
The manifesto night it was further gathered was not only pulsating, stimulating but was also, action packed as the contestants were fielding questions on new ideas and innovations they will bring to vastly improve the lot of members through their various offices.
The atmosphere remains friendly, no tension or apprehension of the unknown, but it is not to say that the security was not round the clock.
Some of the contestants that spoke to our Correspondent in Abuja venue of the delegates’ election were optimistic of witnessing a free, fair, credible and transparent poll at the end of the day.
However, Mrs. OluwaKemi Popoola, who is contesting for the position of Secretary General against Mr. Okeke Ikechukwu, said the wisdom to bring this year’s national delegates election to the nation’s capital was the best that has happened in the history of Supporters Club as delegates are poised to cast their votes without any form of intimidation which has been the norm in the Club’s elections over the years.
She further observed that the atmosphere is not tensed up either. According to her, that landmark decision is another significant departure from the past whereby candidates were always hand-picked which made it possible for them to be dictated for. However, those that would be elected today will be independent minded and carry out their duties to the best of their abilities as they owe their allegiance only to members rather than a particular person or group as it has been the practice.
For the position of the First Vice Chairman, Mr. Oladele Onifade, and Mr. Abayomi Ogunjimi will slug it out. However, Onifade in a chat with Daily Sports shortly after the manifesto night said the election will be free, fair and transparent the indicators are there. He commended the intervention of the Sports Minster and the NFF leadership to reconcile Supporters Club for greater output insisting that unity is strength.
Onifade believes that after the Abuja 2016 election of NFSC, the new club EXCO would work assiduously towards achieving all bridge buildings, round membership drive, reposition, launder its dented image and ensure that a new era that will give all Nigerian that are members of the club equal opportunities is enthroned.
He believes that those that would emerge today would be the authentic EXCOs of the club after the Abuja election and will ensure it won’t be business as usual.
•Photo shows National Stadium, Abuja, venue of today’s NFSC national delegates’ 2016 election.
Source Daily Sports
Posted December 10, 2016
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