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From Tony Osauzo and Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, was yesterday elected as the new President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
He polled a total of 39 votes to emerge President in the election which held in Benin, the Edo State capital.
Gusau had polled 21 votes in the first ballot which could not however produce a clear winner.
He could not be declared winner because he did not have 50 percent plus one votes (50%+1 votes) which amount to 22 votes and had to go into second ballot according to FIFA regulation.
In the first ballot, Gusau scored 21 votes, Abiodun Akinwunmi 12 votes, Peterside Idaho one (1) vote, Abdullah Abba Yola, one (1) vote, and Shehu Dikko six (6) votes.
Other contestants, Dr. Chris Emeruwa, Amaze Uchegbulam, and David Doherty who did not score any vote.
Shortly before the second round of voting, Abiodun Akinwunmi, Abdullahi Yola and Shehu Dikko, withdrew from the the race, paving way for Peterside and Gusau to slug it out in the second ballot to determine a clear winner in which Gusau scored 39 votes while Peterside score one vote.
Consequently, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau was declared winner and President-elect of NFF.
Earlie at the NFF Congress, the outgoing President of the Federation, Amaju Pinnic, described the position of NFF president as one of the hottest seats in Nigeria democratic system.
Amaju, who stated this during his farewell speech, commended members of his Executive Council for their innovative ideas and support given to him during his tenure as president of the board.
“I can’t thank God enough for His wonderful grace through out these eight years of my administration as President of the Nigeria Football Federation NFF. In fact I must say that it has been good, bad and ugly. But in all, we thank God for everything.
“Everything you see, this documentary today, won’t have been possible without the input of my Executive Board members. They are the engine room of whatever successes we must have recorded in the past eight years. Yes we quarrel and fight, but at the end we settle and we forge ahead with the job.
“I also want to thank all Nigerian football stakeholders that have stood beside us during this administration. I ever remain graceful to you all. When I look at those fighting to step into my shoes I just laugh, the NFF position is one of the hottest seats in Nigeria. I advise the person coming after me to always pray to God to give the wisdom on how to manage enemies. Because whether you like it or not, there are always enemies to battle with. Alhaji Aminu Maigari handed over one indivisible congress to me, I will also hand over one indivisible congress to my successor”, he said.
Pinnick, while pledging to support whoever is elected president by the congress, appealed to stakeholders to avoid putting pressure on the president.
“We must have to work with them to develop this game of football in our country. As a member of FIFA Council, I remain the boss of the NFF. so whether you invite me to your Executive meetings or not by my status as member of FIFA Executive Council, I will continue to play a vital role in the NFF.
“Finally I won’t end this speech without thanking Edo State government for this support. They have always been at the forefront in ensuring that Nigeria regain her glory in world football history. So as stakeholders, we must join hands to move the game forward”, he added.
