By Paul Efiong A former Minister of Sports Bala Bawa Ka’oje, has call on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and indeed major stakeholder in sports administration in the country to rise above tribal politics to support a credible candidate with prerequisite qualifications and international exposure during the upcoming FIFA election.
The former minister, who gave the advice while speaking with Prompt News in his Abuja office, further explained that FIFA presidency, must be contested for by person who has impacted positively in sports development not just within his country of birth but also at international level making himself relevant with international politics and decision makers.
Responding to questions about the aspirations of two Nigerians who are vying for the world football apex body, Orji Uzor Kalu and Segun Adegbami , he expressed appreciation for such noble desires urging government to scrutinize the two aspirants thoroughly and support the best material.
He further disclosed that the two hopeful for the FIFA presidency are his friends adding they have been up and doing in promoting and projecting sports management and activities within and outside the shore of Nigeria.
“Segun Adegbami has been a very good footballer that has played for with the senior team while Orji Kalu has equally been doing very well based on the achievement recorded by his club within and outside the country”, he said.
Ka’Oje who advised Nigerians and stakeholders in sports to trek with caution having been told that the embattled ex-FIFA boss, Sepp Blatter has declared his support for Orji Kalu while the Glass House is canvassing support to Segun Adegbami explained “we have to be very careful on the caliber of person we present to FIFA for election because the immediate past president have a lot of role to play in the upcoming election, he can make and mar our candidature, we should remember that he has been at the helm of affairs there for several years, he, may decide to influence other international bodies to vote in our favor or against us.
“We don’t want to support any candidate that would not succeed at the end of the day, so as I said earlier let us put our house in order in order to give massive support to whoever we want to support, let us put aside sentiment and tribal politics and support a person who will scale through the election”.
