Ibrahim Musa Gusau emerges NFF President in Benin

By Kingsley Abavo, Benin

Former Chairman of Chairmen of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has been elected president of the body.

The Zamfara Football Association Chairman won the highly contested number one office of the Nigeria Football Governing body polling 21 votes to beat other contestants.

The election held at the 78 Annual General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation, held at the Edo Heritage Hotel, in Benin City.

Gusau will be heading the NFF board for a period of four years tenure as president, succeeding immediate past president Amaju Melvin Pinnick who led the football power House for eight years of two tenures.

The election eventually held peacefully after days and weeks of uncertainty and suspense, following a ruling by the Court of Appeal which ordered a stay of execution of an ex – parte injunction, secured by some fellows a fortnight ago to put a wedge on the election.

Amongst the 10 individuals who jostled to succeed Pinnick as Nigeria football’s supremo are current vice presidents, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi (1st VP) and Mallam Shehu Dikko (2nd VP), as well as the current Executive Committee Member, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande.

Also in the race for the NFF top job were the immediate past General Secretary, Barr. Musa Amadu, and Head of Safety and Security of the CAF, Dr. Christian Emeruwa.

Chairman of the FCT Football Association, Mallam Adam Mouktar Mohammed; former Nigeria international goalkeeper, Peterside Idah; former Chairman of Kano Pillars FC and respected technocrat, Alhaji Abba Abdullahi Yola and; UK-based David-Buhari Doherty complete the list of 10 contestants who vied for the post.

A former NFF 1st Vice President, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam, pulled out of the race during the week, citing: “not wanting to run foul of the ex – parte injunction” as reason.

Paul Yusuf from Plateau State was disqualified as a result of invalid nomination also, Marcellinus Anyanwu from Imo State.

Yusuf, a former Bendel Insurance goalkeeper however has promised to fight his disqualification to any length to get justice.

Three persons, viz: current Member of Board, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu; current Member of Board, Senator Obinna Ogba and; Chinedu Okoye were battling for the post of 1st Vice President as at the time of filing this report.

Current Member of Board, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’ will replace Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau as Chairman of Chairmen, as he was the only one who obtained the form, and has been cleared for the position as unopposed.