FIFA Presidency: NFF Meets Over Kalu’s Ambition

Orji Uzor Kalu’s ambition to become the next FIFA president is generating excitement as Nigeria Football Federation appears reluctant to be drawn into declaring support for the former Abia State governor.

Uzor-Kalu, declared his intention to replace Sepp Blatter in the February 2016 elections, but that move is now a subject of discussion among top football enthusiasts. Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick stated yesterday that the matter will be discussed by the executive committee of the NFF and its position will be made known.

“All I can say is that every decision regarding who to support for the FIFA election will be taken by the executive committee.

“But let me also add that there is this eligibility clause to run for the FIFA election. Article 13 sub-section 1. States that you must be in active football for the last five years as a referee, chairman of a club, president of a federation, member of executive committee and you must be actively connected to running of football in the last five years. The NFF executive committee will surely take a decision on the matter. We appreciate his contributions to Nigeria football and we will support him in any capacity.

“Orji Uzor Kalu has done well for Nigerian football. The history of the game will not be complete without mentioning his name. He was instrumental to Enyimba’s winning of the champions league back to back in 2003 and 2004.  But that was a long time ago,” Pinnick said.