NFF President election: ‘Enough is enough’ – Primate Ayodele tells Pinnick

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned President, Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick against extending his second term tenure.

The election to determine the next president of the federation has been slated for September 2022 but news reports have it that the NFF has officially written to world football body, FIFA to seek for a tenure elongation till 2023. This has also put plans towards the election on hold.

In his reaction, Primate Ayodele asked Pinnick to allow another person take over the leadership of the NFF in order to add value to Nigeria’s football.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele explained that Pinnick has done his part and that there is no point seeking an extension of tenure. He asked him not to use FIFA to remain in power, stating that the best he can do is support a credible candidate unless he wants Nigeria football to die.

‘’Don’t let anyone use FIFA to remain in power, enough is enough. There is a need to have a new leadership at the helms of affairs in the NFF. Amaju Pinnick has done so well and needs to step down for evaluation of our football. The best candidate that can replace him is a northerner. Nigeria football needs to add value because our sports is dying already. If the old administration continues, our sport will die.’’

It would be recalled that Amaju Pinnick claimed that some prominent individuals are begging him to continue as the NFF President. In his reaction, Primate Ayodele noted that such individuals don’t have the country’s football at heart.

He explained that with the best candidate leading the NFF, Nigeria can qualify for the next World Cup and even get up to the semi-final stage unlike during the administration of Amaju Pinnick.

“Any prominent individual begging this administration to stay doesn’t like Nigeria. The best candidate must emerge in NFF, it is the turn of a northerner to become the NFF president. Pinnick must not struggle for it any longer, he is done with his term; let him support a credible candidate.

“Nigeria needs the best hand to be in charge of NFF regardless of ethnic or religious differences. Our football has almost collapsed under this present administration, we need someone who can add value to Nigeria football. The country can qualify for the next World Cup in 2027 and even get to the semi-final stage, we just need the best hand; this administration has to go.

“EFCC will go after the current NFF board, they must tread with caution and be careful.’’