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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is finding it hard to endorse the candidature of former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu for FIFA Presidency.
Kalu, a former Nigeria presidential aspirant who reportedly declared his intention to contest for the FIFA top position slated for February 26, 2016 needs the backing of NFF to be considered a candidate.
But there are strong indications that Kalu may not get the NFF endorsement. The reason is Kalu’s inability to meet the criteria spelt out in section one of article 13 of the FIFA statutes on such election. Section 1 of article 13 states that a candidate for the office of FIFA President must “have played an active role in association football (as a board member, committee member, referee and assistant referee, coach, trainer and any other person responsible for technical, medical or administrative matters in FIFA, a Confederation, Association, League or Club or as a player) for two of the last five years before being proposed as a candidate (cf. art. 24 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes).”
Although, NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, disclosed on Monday that the federation would meet to discuss Kalu’s FIFA presidential bid, latest reports indicates that the board has ran out of ideas on how to propel Kalu’s candidature.
A member of the federation disclosed on Wednesday night that their hands were tied by the statutory requirements to endorse Kalu. And that much as it would be pleasing to have a Nigerian contest for FIFA top seat, Kalu’s inability to meet the conditions has forced it to withhold its seal of approval.
By Olisemeka Obeche
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