BY OBA ADEDARASIMI
The third-term ambition of the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, is gathering momentum as the FIFA council member secured assurances of support from critical stakeholders, The Point has learnt.
Although Pinnick, who first came into power in 2014, said at different fora that he would not seek reelection when his current tenure expires, our correspondent reliably learnt that the football chief had changed his man and he is consolidating on the plans to succeed himself at next year’s poll.
Sources very close to the executive member of the Confederation of African Football reliably told The Point that some stakeholders told Pinnick that to deepen his standing in the political space at the continental and global levels; he has to consolidate his home base by remaining the top shot.
A source said in fairness to Pinnick, he wanted to concentrate on playing football politics at the global level but major stakeholders urged him to stand election again and he had accepted the challenge.
“As it is now, nobody in football circle is willing to stand against him with less than one year to the end of his tenure,” he said.
Another source added that the federation is perfecting plans to take all states FA chairmen to the next African Cup of Nations as part of the strategy to secure their support for his bid.
“Strategic meeting is planned to be held during the tournament, where all FA chairmen, who form the electorate, will be asked to name their price to support the bid,” the source said.
He is also interfacing with the powerful northern bloc, our correspondent also learnt, and despite the fact that agreement has not been reached it is believed that he assured the politicians from that region that they will retain chairmanships of juicy committees in the NFF and they will also maintain their membership of top committees in CAF.
Another source informed The Point that Pinnick is plotting to superintend over the financial windfall the federation is about to enjoy following a raft of deals the football house sealed in recent time.
“I can confirm that he will run and we have to forget about the denial from his camp; they are bringing in money into the federation with the deals from the corporate bodies and the current administration still wants to administer the funds.
They are feeling they couldn’t have worked for such funds and allow other people to enjoy it.
There is also FIFA World Cup largesse; that one is a huge windfall and that is why the NFF is doing everything to make sure that the Eagles qualify for the tournament. That is one motivation among others why we are likely going to have a return of not only Pinnick but majority of the members of the current board,”
he said.
