NFF chief, Amaju Pinnick says the federation can only nominate a candidate and thus expects Orji Uzor Kalu and Segun Odegbami to come to a conclusion on who steps down for the other.
Speaking in an inteerview with www.footballlive.ng Pinnick stated that the candidates have been intimated with the criteria which would help them further their eligibility but the Federation President also stressed that the body was keen on presenting a competent and credible candidate.
” When they intimated us officially; Chief Odegbami did through a correspondence and it was well received and commended, We had an extra-ordinary meeting principally to address Nigeria’s participation in FIFA and CAF; we looked at the pros and cons.
” And also elections in CAF and FIFA executives seats and found out that we lost those seats because of the lack of consultations. We came out with a resolution, a set of conditions for the candidates including getting a letter from the state FA endorsing them, as much as possible so they’re eligible,they must be actively involved in running football in the 2 of the last 5 years,” the NFF President stressed.
Pinnick further shared the conditions ( According to statutory rules) handed to the candidates, he said : ” CAF is the parent body of African football and they have a key perhaps cardinal role to play in the elections because they have a strenght of 56 out of the in the 209 members which gives them 25% of the total votes which is a strong element. So if we’re to make an impact in that election then the candidates needs CAF’s endorsement and a letter from the government.
” If any of them becomes the Presdient of FIFA it’ll a huge benefit to us, and I have been speaking with them but we expected they’ll talk to themselves and one person steps down because we can only present a candidate.”
” It’s our hope that if anything comes to Africa it’ll come to Nigeria and we’re not just eager to present a candidate but one who’s competent and credible.
” We held our meeting Yesterday and within the week we’ll reach a solution which will be an unanimous decision of the involving all the relevant committees. So I suggest they do their consultations,” Pinnick told www.footballlive.ng