Sports minister Sunday Dare has ordered the candidates vying for the presidential position in the Nigeria Football Federation elections to meet with him in Abuja.
The elections into the executive committee of the NFF are billed for Friday in Benin City, Edo State, although there is a court injunction putting it on hold.
An invitation letter signed by the Permanent Secretary of the sports ministry Ismaila Abubakar and dated September 23 asked the candidates to meet with Dare at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja by 4pm tomorrow.
One of the splinter player unions had obtained a court ruling to put the election on hold, as it sought the expansion of the executive committee to more than the present 44 members.
Although the agenda for the meeting with the candidates was not stated, it is believed that the sports minister will be seeking solutions to the crisis that could scupper the elections, including the court injunction.
There are 11 candidates running for the football governing body’s top position, including current vice-presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko.
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Idah Peterside, who is now a sports broadcaster, Confederation of African Football official Christian Emeruwa and sports ministry top shot Abba Yola are also in contention.
Former NFF secretary general Musa Amadu and veteran administrators Amanze Uchegbulam and Ibrahim Gusau are also running for president.
The line-up jostling to succeed Amaju Pinnick is the biggest field of presidential contestants ever in NFF elections history.
