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Chief Segun
Odegbami and Dr Orji Uzo Kalu (Image source: PaceTV.com)
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The positions of Chief
Amanze Uchegbulam, Paul Bassey and Sani Toro left a sour taste to their
ambitions after they, in separate interviews warned the duo to ‘’stop
embarrassing Nigeria’’. Former Abia State Governor, Dr Kalu was the first to hint of
joining the fray to succeed outgoing Sepp Blatter before Odegbami,
former captain of the Eagles and businessman joined in.
Former
Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation and member of CAF’s Judicial
and Board of Appeals Committee, Amanze Uchegbulam said that he had nothing
against Kalu and Odegbami’s entrance into the FIFA presidency race but
frowned that it was being done the wrong way.
‘’There
is nothing wrong with their ambitions but they are doing it the wrong way and
embarrassing Nigeria’’, he said in a matter of fact manner.
Vanguard
report continues:
‘’Nigeria
has very knowledgeable people in CAF and FIFA and one expects that such people
should have been consulted for a high profile position in a place they are
holding positions. They did not and what we get is outsiders asking us if we
knew about their ambitions. There are procedures for doing things and there are
statutes to be followed. FIFA is an organized body.
It
is not a political party where people jump into at any time. President of CAF,
Issa Hayatou is the number two man in FIFA and he is in charge of Africa. Consultations
for things like these are first done underground with the knowledge of all
relevant people and organizations. It is not something you jump to the Press
first and the people are getting to know about your ambitions through the
Press. We (Nigerians) holding positions in CAF or FIFA have been inundated with
calls and the whole thing is an embarrassment.
They
know that we know and expect us to guide our people. But you can only help one
who seeks help”, Uchegbulam said. The former first Vice President of the NFF
also lashed out at their ambitions saying that it might be beyond Presidency of
FIFA. ‘’It’s possible that they are in the race for ulterior motives. I say
this because it is a bridge too far for them’’.
He
was not alone.
Veteran
Sports Journalist and CAF and FIFA Media Committee member, Paul Bassey was
miffed when he talked about the entrance of the Nigerians into the FIFA number
one position.
“It
is sad indeed that our people overlook us on a subject that we can be of help
to guide and to direct them appropriately. ‘’Even if they don’t like our
persons, they should have asked us because of our positions and knowledge. I
totally agree with Uchegbulam that they are embarrassing Nigeria. Not only
that, they are also trivializing the whole thing’’, Bassey, a sports columnist
of high repute noted.
Former
House of Representatives member and former Secretary General of the Nigeria
Football Association and former Sports Commissioner of Bauchi State, Alhaji
Sani Ahmed Toro laughed off the ambitions of the Nigerians urging them not to
‘’ridicule this country’’.
‘’They
want to test their popularity and it goes beyond that. The rules are simple. I
bet you that they won’t even cross the hurdle in Nigeria. It is not even
possible for Pinnick to endorse them not to talk of CAF’’, Toro said.
“They will not because there are rules and guidelines they do not meet.”
In
addition to his submissions, Toro cited Article 24 of FIFA Statutes, Articles
12 to 14 of the Electoral Regulations for the FIFA Presidency which was
specific; ‘’The eligibility of candidates for the office of FIFA Presidency
shall have been proposed by a member association (Nigeria Football Federation)
and present declarations of support from at least five(5) member associations
ie 5 other Countries. Each member association may only present a declaration of
support for one person. If a member association presents support for more than
one person, all its declarations shall be become invalid
When
contacted, Chief Segun Odegbami whose entrance brought joy to many Nigerians in
football circles wondered why Nigerians love to bring down their fellow
Nigerians instead of looking positively. “Yes, I did not consult
them but I have intentions of meeting up with almost all relevant persons. It
is not something you can do in one day. People should not see this project as a
Segun Odegbami thing. No, it is not. It is not a do or die affair but one of
participating well. I am in this because I have what it takes to offer to the
World and to the beautiful game of football’’, he said.
Other contenders include
Michel Platini, the French president of European federation UEFA, South Korean
Chung Mong-joon, a former Asian vice-president of FIFA as well as the old
Brazilian World Cup star Zico and former Trinidad and Tobago international
David Nakhid. The South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale is also considering a
bid.
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