What appears a major hurdle for candidates from the Southern zone of the country vying for the Presidency in the elective congress of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), may be afoot, if a declaration by the Northern caucus of the federation is anything to go by.
The election to usher in a new president and other executive committee members for a four-year tenure will hold in Benin City, Edo State on September 30.
Over, 11 contestants are in the race to take over the seat currently occupied by Amaju Pinnick. They include first vice president of the NFF, Seyi Akinwunmi, Chairman of Chairmen, Ibrahim Gusau, former NFF secretary, Musa Amadu, CAF Director, Security, Christian Emeruwa, former Super Eagles goalkeeper and Media Officer, Peterside Idah, former player, Benedict Akwuegbu, former SWAN President and General Manager, Heartland FC, Fan Ndubuoke, former Director, NSC and current Chief of Staff to Sports Minister, Abba Yola, former player, Jonathan Akpoborie and former NFF board member, Amamze Uchegbulam.
Another stakeholder, Ahmed Gara Gombe, is said to be watching the situation before declaring his interest in the election.
A source close to the northern caucus, a group that is fighting to install a northerner as the next NFF president, hinted on Monday that all the candidates from the South should forget their ambition.
He hinged the North’s stance on belief that incumbent president, Pinnick’s second tenure has made another southern president impossible.
“Pinnick’s second tenure is for candidates from the south. It is the turn of the north to produce the NFF president and we will get it,” the source told The Tidesports on Monday.

The Nyenweli of Igwuruta, Eze Samuel N.Wekhe, has called on youths in the community and the entire Rivers State to be peaceful and support the policies and programme of the Government.
Wekhe, who said this in an interview with newsmen during his 80th birthday celebration, also stressed the need for his people to ensure amicable resolution of all crises.
He said peaceful resolution of crises has become the norm, stressing that nobody should take the law into his hand.
“The whole life is full of challenges. They should live in peace when we have problem”.
The monarch said being 80 was something to be thankful to God for, and commended the people for their massive turn out for the event.
Speaking at the occasion, the member representating Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency, Hon Boniface Emerengwa, has commended the Igwuruta monarch for ensuring peace in his community.
He told newsmen that since his ascension to the throne of the Igwuruta Community, the area has been in peace.
He noted that the community has also witnessed unprecedented development since the enthronement of Eze Wekhe
Also speaking, the Chairman, Igwuruta Security and Peace Advisory Committee (ISPAC), Engr. Nwanjoku Chinedu Seth, said the king has done so well for the community.
He assured that the group will collaborate with the traditional institution in Igwuruta to build on the existing peace in the community, saying the group will Continue to check crimes in the area.

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has called on the people of Degema Local Government Area to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs), in order to exercise their franchise in the forthcoming 2023 elections.
She made the call recently, during the “Collect and Protect your PVC” sensitisation and mobilisation rally, organised by the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) at the Rt. Hon.Tonye Harry Stadium in Degema Local Government Area.
In a statement signed by the Head of Press, Deputy Governor’s Office, Owupele Benebo, Banigo described the PVC as the power of the Degema people and key in the 2023 general elections.
She urged the people, particularly eligible voters, to not only collect, but keep their PVCs safe in order to vote their choice candidates capable of providing them with democratic dividends.
Also speaking, the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amaopusenibo Siminialayi Fubara, disclosed that the era of voters registration was over as they are now in the era of PVC collection.
According to him, the leaders of the Degema council area have performed to expectation through their show of love and solidarity to the GDI.
On his part, the State Chairman of the PDP, Amb. Desmond Akawor, stressed the need for the people to have their PVCs in their hands.
Represented by the Deputy Chairman of the Party, Hon. Chukwuemeka Aaron, Akawor said “it behooves on you to make efforts to collect your PVCs in order to exercise your franchise come 2023”.
Earlier in his speech, the President General of GDI, Hon. Bright Amewhule, said “on the day of election, all eligible voters should come out and cast their votes for candidates of their choice and ensure that the results are transmitted at the polling units, in order to forestall manipulations.”

By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu