FIFA Council: Stakeholders split over push for govt to support Pinnick’s re-election

Amaju Pinnick PHOTO:Getty Images

Moves to make Federal Government support the re-election campaign of former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, into the FIFA Council may have created a sharp division among stakeholders in the football family.

Pinnick was elected into the FIFA Council in Rabat, Morocco, in 2021, with support of some top Nigerian football administrators who were sympathetic to his course. He defeated Malawian FA boss, Walter Nyamilandu, by 43 votes to eight during the CAF General Assembly, a victory that was made possible following spate of withdrawals by some notable candidates.

Pinnick is seeking re-election at this year’s polls in Bangkok, Thailand on May 30, and opinions are divided among stakeholders.

Former chairman of Bayelsa United FC and ex-chairman of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Barrister Victor Baribote, told The Guardian in a telephone chat that the first thing that would come to mind is what are the benefits that Pinnick’s membership of FIFA has brought to Nigeria?

“I strongly believe the answer to that will take care of whether or not he deserves government support for his re-election.”

Speaking further, Baribote said: “Those facts are not within my knowledge that is the gains of football administration to Nigeria as per his membership of FIFA Council non I can recollect. In that spirit, I will be tempted to say that his membership in FIFA Council was more of personal upliftment than the gains of football administration to Nigeria, unless there are other facts that are not known to me. Again what are his achievements as President of Nigeria football?”

Former International, Adegoke Adelabu, a sports scientist, said: “Pinnick’s antecedents should