Ogunjobi, Umeh, others set for NFF clash

The Nigeria Football Federation elections have been scheduled to take place in Warri, Delta State, on Tuesday with 36 candidates set for battles for eight elective positions. But the major attraction is the battle to succeed Aminu Maigari as the NFF President in which seven candidates are lined up, writes KAZEEM BUSARI

Amanze Uchegbulam

The former Chairman of the Imo State Football Association was the 1st Vice-President of the Nigeria Football Federation between 2007 and 2010.

In second coming to the NFF, he is promising to do things that will make the game grow to great heights. “Under my regime, the NFF will be a strong and progressive organisation. I will address all the problems that have polarised the football fraternity and ensure that lasting peace returns to our football,” he said.

Taiwo Ogunjobi

He was the Secretary-General the NFF under Ibrahim Galadima and also became the Chairman of the Technical Committee of the body under Sani Lulu. He was Chairman of Shooting Stars until 1998. He is   the Chairman of both the Osun State FA and Prime FC of Osogbo.

The ex-international and former Shooting Stars defender has promised to involve more ex-footballers in the running of Nigerian football. He has also promised to unite the warring parties in Nigerian football.

Abba Yola

He is head of a sports consulting/marketing company. A former Chairman of Kano Pillars for 14 months until March 2014. He was a member of the Presidential Task Force set up to ensure Nigeria qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

His experience in Nigerian sports include being the Secretary for the National Sports Festivals in Port Harcourt in 2010 and in Lagos in 2012. He was the Special Assistant (Technical) to the Minister of Sport, Musa Mohammed, from 2006 to 2007. And was Special Assistant to former Directors-General of the National Sports Commission – Amos Adamu and Patrick Ekeji – from 2007 to 2012.

Shehu Dikko

He is so far the only candidate that has launched a website to drive his campaign. He was instrumental in securing the Super Eagles friendly matches against Paraguay, North Korea, Belgium and Portugal ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He has promised to “resolve all the legal issues hindering the progress of Nigerian football, that is, entrenchment of the NFF Statutes as the supreme law to govern football in Nigeria, strengthening the milestones achieved to date by the League Management Company and guaranty sustainable growth for the NPFL and its clubs.”

Amaju Pinnick

He is the Chairman of the Delta State Football Association, a position he attained in 2005. He was the 2nd Vice-Chairman of the DSFA in 1999 and later became the 1st Vice-Chairman in 2002.

His romance with the NFF started as being a member of the NFA Marketing & Sponsorship Committee from 2003 to 2006; and being a member of the NFF Appeals Committee from 2010 till date. He was also a Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Foreign Relations from 2005 to 2007.

He has promised “to reduce the level of litigation in the NFF and also provide regular grants to state FAs. One of his plans is to have Nigerian referees officiate at the 2022 World Cup.

Dominic Iorfa

An ex-international who played in England, Scotland, Turkey, Belgium and Ireland. He is the Chairman of Lobi Stars, and has over the years criticised the downturn in Nigerian football administration.

Not much of his plans have been heard but his focus has always been to improve the domestic league and also see the welfare of players improved.

Mike Umeh

He is the current 1st Vice-President of the NFF who declared interest in the job when his boss, Aminu Maigari, was purportedly impeached by the NFF Executive Committee last month.

He was team manager of the 1994 Super Eagles that won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

He said of himself, “I am also part of the success story of the Aminu Maigari golden era where we are African champions and also world champions in the U-17 category. We surpassed the achievements of all the previous boards.”

The ex-Enugu Rangers Chairman said he would focus on domestic football administration and ensure players’ welfare are taken more seriously.