Pinnick halts third term ambition
After thoughtful deliberations and careful considerations, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) 77th Annual General Assembly has scheduled the 30th of September, 2022 as the date for the NFF elections to be held in Benin City, Edo State.
There have been talks of the elections taking place on the 20th of October, 2022 but such an idea was vehemently rejected by the majority of representatives from the Leagues, the Coaches Association, the Referees Association, the Players’ Union, invited observers NFF Management and Staff, and several other stakeholders present at the GA. A consensus was met and it was agreed that Benin City, hosts of the Nigeria Basketball Federation elections earlier this year, would be the venue for the elections on the 30th of September, 2022.
An election timeline was approved by the NFF’s congress at its meeting on Thursday, August 18th in Lagos, where the current and longest-serving president of the NFF, Amaju Melvin Pinnick also confirmed he will not be contesting for the third time for the sole purpose of unity.
Pinnick, who has been in charge as NFF president since 2014, is the first Nigerian to hold the position for two terms and his second term is scheduled to elapse on 20 September 2022.
“As I stand before you today (Thursday), I want to thank the Congress for what they have done for Nigeria football in the last 8 years,”
“I want to leave Congress as one unit the way it was handed to me in 2014. I want to say it here that I am not going to contest for the NFF President again.” Pinnick debunked the rumours.
The General Assembly also constituted an Electoral Committee for the elections headed by Aikhunegire Anthony Malik (Chairman); Justice Abdulkadir Zakariyya (Vice Chairman); Babatunde Ogala – SAN (Member); Daha Umar Daura – Danburam (Member); Gambo Mamman (Member). Alternate Members: Barrister Ifeanyi Dike; Barr. Ransom Ariyo
An election appeal committee was deemed necessary and appointments were made including; Barrister Gandi Umar (Chairman); Ayo Akindele – SAN (Vice Chairman); Rev. Obioma Onyeaghala (Member). Alternate Members: Barrister Chive Kaave; Barrister Idi Halidu Ali.