The Head of Safety and Security of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr Christian Emeruwa, has categorically denied reports linking him to the position of General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), insisting that he has no interest whatsoever in occupying the position.
Emeruwa, who contested for the presidency of the NFF four years ago, said in a statement titled I HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN BECOMING NFF GENERAL SECRETARY, released Thursday morning, September 3rd, that he was offered the opportunity to become the federation’s General Secretary at the time but turned it down because the position was not the reason he entered the race.
According to him, his position has not changed four years later.
“I wish to state clearly, categorically and without any ambiguity that I, Dr Christian Emeruwa, have never been interested in becoming the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and I have no interest whatsoever in occupying that position.”
“Four years ago, I presented myself to contest for the Presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation. During that period, I was offered the opportunity to become General Secretary of the NFF. I declined the offer.”
“I declined it then because becoming General Secretary was not the reason I entered the race for the leadership of Nigerian football. Four years later, that position has not changed.”
“It is therefore concerning that, despite my consistent and clearly stated position, some individuals continue to peddle permutations, postulations and speculative reports linking my name with the office of General Secretary of the NFF.”
He stressed that he had neither sought the position nor expressed interest in it, adding that he had not authorised anyone to canvass, negotiate or speak on his behalf regarding the office.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have not sought the position, I have not expressed interest in it, and I have not authorised anyone to canvass, negotiate or speak on my behalf regarding the position.”
Emeruwa also reacted to a recent report by journalist Sam Audu linking him with the position, revealing that he had personally contacted Audu to make his position clear.
“Regarding the recent story written by Sam Audu linking my name once again with the position, I have personally called Sam and made my position unequivocally clear to him. “I have also informed him that I am awaiting a retraction of the said story,” he added.
The former NFF presidential aspirant therefore urged the media, football stakeholders and the general public to stop associating his name with permutations surrounding the position.
“I therefore respectfully call on members of the media, football stakeholders and the general public to desist from associating my name with any permutations concerning the position of General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation.”
Reiterating his stance, Emeruwa said: “My position four years ago was clear. My position today remains the same.
“I DID NOT WANT THE POSITION THEN.
“I DO NOT WANT IT NOW.
“I HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN BECOMING THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE NIGERIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION.”