Lulu Tasks NFF Electoral Committee

...To Conduct Credible Election

Eminent sports lawyer, Barrister Abdul-hakeem Uthman Mustapha was on Saturday elected Chairman of the Electoral Committee for the 2010 NFF Executive Committee election. 

Mustapha was elected by fellow Committee Members after the inauguration of the Committee which took place at the Chida International Hotel, Abuja. Former renowned referee, Chief Abel Ehigie was elected the Committee’s Vice Chairman. 

Other Members of the Committee, which has a mandate of organizing election into the NFF Executive Committee on August 28 this year, are Mr. Ali Abdulkadir, Alhaji Maigari Joji, Mr. Tunde Oloyede, Mr. Teddy Isiadinso, Alhaji Ahmed Maude, Mrs Oluyomi Oluwasanmi and Barrister Austel Elumelu. As stipulated in the NFF Statutes, the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba will serve as the Committee Secretary. 

At the inauguration on Saturday, NFF President Sani Lulu Abdullahi urged the Members to do everything possible to ensure free and fair election. “Our desire is to do everything to guarantee a thoroughly democratic, free and fair election that will leave a legacy for coming generations and even those yet unborn. Pessimists and cynics around the world believe that elections in Africa are a farce. But from our small level, we can disprove this and start a process through which the world will come to respect us for credible polls.

“The Nigeria Football Federation expects the best from you, the entire football fraternity expects the best from you and the good people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria expects the best from you. 

“Already, we have drawn up a standard Electoral Code, and we are concluding plans for the standardisation of our Statutes, in line with FIFA requirements. The Statutes and the Electoral Code are the books that will guide you in conducting the election. 

Your allegiance, if it needs be stated, should be to the General Congress of Nigeria football, and no other body or individual. 

I urge that at all times, you should remain steadfast, strong and unwavering, and be committed to the ideals of a hitch –free poll”.