By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Electoral Committee on Monday cleared 11 presidential aspirants including frontrunner, Dr. Christian Emeruwa to contest for the post of President of NFF in the forthcoming Elective Congress billed for September 30 in Benin City, Edo state capital.
Also cleared are three persons gunning for the position of 1st Vice President of NFF, one candidate for the post of Chairman of State Football Associations Chairmen and 27 others vying for the positions of Executive Committee Membership.
Significantly, Dr. Emeruwa who was the first Nigerian to publicly declare his interest to succeed the outgoing NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick and also the first to obtain the NFF Presidential Form has maintained his first position as his name appeared in the first place in the list of cleared aspirants.
The list of cleared aspirants made available to the public on Monday in Abuja by the NFF Electoral Committee and signed by the Chairman, Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, showed that only two presidential aspirants, Mercellinus Anyanwu and Paul Yusuf, were disqualified on account of invalid nominations.
Among the presidential aspirants cleared to run aside Dr. Emeruwa (South East) are former NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu (North West); ex-NFF 1st Presidents Mazi Amamze Uchegbulem (S/East), Seyi Akinwunmi (S/West); Shehu Dikko (N/West) and Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusua (N/West), outgoing 2nd Vice President and Chairman of Chairmen respectively.
Others are Hon. Suliaman Kwande (N/Central); Pastor Peterside Idah (S/South), ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper; Alhaji Abba Abdullahi Yola; Mallam Adam Mouktar Mohammed and David Buhari Doherty.
The three aspirants for 1st Vice President post are Mr. Chinedu Okoye (S/East), Chief Felix Anyasi-Agwu (S/East) and Senator Obinna Ogba (S/East) while the incumbent Chairman of NFF Technical and Development Committee, Alhaji Ahmed Fresh is the sole candidate for Chairman of Chairmen position.
Meanwhile, some of the the notable names for the membership of NFF Executive Committee are Chairman of Abia Warriors FC Pastor Emeka Inyama; three ex-Super Eagles players, Daniel Amokachi, Chikelue Iloenyosi,
new Chairman of Anambra State FA
and Karibe Pascal Ojigwe.
Serving Board Members- Alhaji Babagana Kachalla Kalli, Mohammed Alkali and Sharif Rabiu Inua; former Board Member- Otunba Sunday Dele Ajayi; Rt. Hon. Magarette Ichee, Chairperson of Benue State FA; Jarret Tenebe and Emmanuel Ochiagha are among the contestants cleared.
