Nigeria Football Federation President Amaju Pinnick has suggested that he could be going for a third term due to pressure from ‘influential Nigerians’.
The elections are tentatively fixed for September and there are currently no term limits, therefore Pinnick is eligible to run.
However, Pinnick had promised in the aftermath of the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup that he would not be going for another term due to family reasons.
He has now made a volte-face, telling Kenyan outlet People Sport in Nairobi that he could succumb to pressure and contest again.
“I had initially decided not to vie, but I have been receiving several calls from very influential Nigerians as well as genuine lovers of the sport urging me to seek another term,” Pinnick was quoted as saying.
“It is within the law and I will decide about it when the right time comes. I’m yet to talk to my family and my business associates though, but there are voices wanting me to continue.”
Pinnick replaced Aminu Maigari as NFF President in 2014 and won re-election four years later, making him one of the longest serving heads of Nigerian football in history.
His current term, which will be over in few weeks, has been plagued with controversies and and the elections were even in danger of not being held over a court case.
The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2006 and the Super Falcons had to boycott Women’s Africa Cup of Nations training in Morocco in July to have their entitlements paid.
Pinnick, who is now a member of the very influential FIFA Council and the Confederation of African Football executive committee, is no longer as popular as he was when he won his first election eight years ago
Already, several people have declared their intentions to run for the position, including ex-Super Eagles players Idaho Peterside and Benedict Akwuegbu.
