Ibrahim Gusau elected new NFF president

Ibrahim Musa Gusau has been elected as the new President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), succeeding Amaju Pinnick, NRTC reports.

Gusau is a former Chairman of Chairmen of Nigerian football and was duly elected into the new office earlier on Friday.

His emergence as the new NFF President, after the election, was confirmed during the 78th Annual General Assembly of the NFF in Benin City, Edo State.

He emerged winner following a run-off with former Nigeria international goalkeeper Idah Peterside.

In the first round, Gusau finished with the highest number of votes (21). Former NFF first Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi was second with 12 votes. League Management Company (LMC) chairman and former second Vice President of the NFF Shehu Dikko polled third, accruing six votes.

Idah and another contestant Abba Yola both got one vote each. Christian Emeruwa and David Doherty got zero.

However, Ibrahim Gusau needed 22 votes to be elected as the new NFF President but his 21 votes meant he was one vote short of the mark. A run-off was then decided.

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While Barr. Akinwunmi and Dikko stepped down from the run-off, Idah decided to face Gusau. During the run-off, Gusau polled a total of 39 votes to Idah’s one. That was obviously a flawless victory for Gusau.

Pre-election

In the history of the NFF elections, the buildup to this year’s was one of the mostly tensed. Prior to today’s election that brought in Ibrahim Gusau as the NFF President, a group had threatened fire and brimstone.

The group, called name Nigeria Football Stakeholders, threatened to hit the venue of the election, if it was not canceled. They added that “blood will flow.” The group accused the Amaju Pinnick-led administration of gross misconduct, embezzlement and fraud.

Earlier on Thursday, a ruling by the Court of Appeal ordered a stay-of-execution of an ex parte injunction secured a fortnight ago to stop the elections. This means the election as given the go-ahead to be conducted.