One of the leading candidates for the post of the Nigeria Football Federation president, Abba Abdulahi Yola has harped on the need for a free and fair elections come September 30 in Benin City, Edo State.
This is just as the NFF electoral committee cleared 13 aspirants to contest for the post. Yola, a seasoned sports administrator, said the elections into the executive board of the football ruling house present an opportunity for football stakeholders to salvage the country’s dwindling fortunes in the game.
“From what I’ve seen on the ground I expected a free and fair election when the time comes.
“ I believe the NFF congress has done a good job, we are on course. If we can follow the rules strictly and not shift the goal post in the middle of the game… we will have an NFF Nigerians can be proud of.
“If this time around we fail to come clean with the election, then I’m sorry for what we term ourselves as leaders in Africa. We should be leading, while other nations follow.
“If we can organise this elections to the good will of Nigerians, then we just have to check ourselves and see what is wrong with us,” said Yola.
Speaking on his chances of win the coveted seat, he added: “I’m doing my best to reach out. And I leave the rest to those who can determine the fate of our football with their right choice of votes.
“Sometimes you don’t tag things yourself you allow people to see who you and what you can do. If we are to be on an assessment tour, I stand a very good chance of emerging president.
“I have experience to turn the place around, but the major task would be to get people together and make football work again. It is not a job for one man to do. It our game and Nigerians must have to be part of moving the NFF to greater heights. “
Others who have been cleared to contest include Amanze Uchegbulam, Seyi Akinwumi, Peterside Idah, Christian Emeruwa,, Musa Ahmadu, David Buhari Dotherty, Adamu Mouktar Mohammed, Musa Gusau, Shehu Dikko, Marcelenus Anyanwu, Paul Yusuf, Suleiman Kwande.