The 1st Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Seyi Akinwunmi on Monday said his ambition to become the next President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was not a `do or die’ affair.
Akinwunmi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that his dream for Nigeria’s football as president, was because of his passion for the Nigerian football and as a driving force.
Akinwunmi, who also doubles as the Chairman Lagos State Football Association (LSFA)is gunning for the NFF presidency scheduled for Sept. 30, in Benin, Edo.
Akinwunmi is hoping to take over the baton from the incumbent, Amaju Pinnick who came into office eight years ago.
The LSFA boss said that his father figure in the football administration in Nigeria endeared him towards other contestants whom he respected so well.
“One thing I did that I am very proud of is that I personally attended the declaration ceremony of the first person to declare for the NFF president, I even spoke at the event.
“My NFF presidency ambition is not a `do or die’ affair because football is a family thing and we must, in competition, not forget that.
“I have been to three declarations so far and that is the way to go, I will not put anybody down or be abusive because I have my own mistakes and I want my conscience to be clear.
“I want to run the race of NFF presidency as a true Nigerian, a proper leader in football and a person who want the best for Nigerian football,” Akinwunmi said.
The 1st Vice President said he had a noble idea with good programmes to move Nigerian football to it’s eldorado.
He said anyone who wanted the best for Nigerian Football this time would vote for the candidate that would change the face of football for better, an experienced and passionate leader.
“For others, they have a bit of something in football, like administration, league management, but I have all of them and more.
He stated that he also possessed the ability to attract funding through partnerships to the NFF, moreso as a lawyer, knowing that many of the problems in NFF were infrastructural, based on law.
“The expansion that the stakeholders were clamouring for may not bring much change in Nigerian football administration, but the amendment to NFF statues is bigger expansion.
“For me, the expansion is the smallest thing because there are bigger issues. We need to have inclusion; expansive inclusion in the football polity.
“I was part of the Reform Committee of NFF and I supported the expansion idea, I am also part of the 10-year Football Master plan and I am a proponent of expansion.
“My opinion is that the state FA should not just be a subordinate, but an affiliate so that NFF can budget grants for them to run their associations; this is one of the ideas I will implement as the president,” he said. (NAN)
