NFF gives Pinnick right to choose candidate at CAF polls

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has given its President, Amaju Pinnick, the mandate to vote for a candidate of his choice in the fast approaching Confederation of African Football (CAF) polls scheduled for March 16 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The President of Madagascar Football Federation, Ahmad Ahmad is challenging incumbent CAF boss, Issa Hayatou, who has spent 28 years on the seat.

NFF’s Media and Publicity Committee Chairman, Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, said yesterday that Pinnick had the Federation’s mandate to cast his vote for a candidate, who will best serve Nigeria’s interest during the election.

“The issue of which of the two candidates the NFF should support came up during our last board meeting in Abuja, on Tuesday February 7, 2017. Every single member of the board spoke on the issue and expressed support for the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, to use his discretion and vote for that candidate who will best serve Nigeria’s interest during the election. This support was given based on the fact as the NFF President and a Member of the CAF Organizing Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations, he is fully in tune with the political play at that level and knows what would be best for Nigeria.

“There was not a dissenting voice in the room that day. Everyone agreed that Mr. Pinnick should go ahead and cast his vote for the candidate he feels would support Nigerian football to grow the way we want it. It is not correct for anyone to say the matter was not discussed.

“The board spent good time discussing the CAF elections and the importance of Nigeria having someone on the CAF Executive Committee, considering the huge role that our nation has always been playing in peacekeeping and sundry noble programmes on the continent.

“There is no division in the NFF board. We are giving full and unconditional support to Mr. Pinnick to stand for the elections and for him to cast his vote for that candidate, whose presidency of CAF would serve the interest of our great nation.”

Yahaya-Kwande, a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, stated that the federation remained grateful for the support that the Federal Government continues to give to the body towards the execution of its programmes and activities.