Ibrahim Musa Gusau, the chairman of the Zamfara State Football Association, has entered the contest for the leadership of the Nigerian Football Federation.
The FA chairman announced his candidacy for the NFF’s top position on Wednesday in Gusau during a meeting of sports stakeholders.
The NFF election will take place on September 30, 2022, in Benin, the administrative centre of Edo State.
Gusau, the chairman of the FA Chairmen, was selected to the CAF Organising Committee for the 2022–2024 African Cup of Nations for Youth (U-23/U-21/U-17).
The FA chairman, who spoke in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, said his choice was motivated by his love for the growth of football in Nigeria.
He declared that, if elected, he would promote harmony among the organisation’s members, stakeholders, and athletes.
Gusau said: “I am here in Gusau, my home, to meet with you, the stakeholders and to seek your endorsement for my plan to contest for the NFF president.
“I deem it fit to start from my home before formal declaration later in Abuja, the nation’s capital.”
He said he would uplift Nigeria’s Football League to meet global standards if elected.
Gusau said one of his priorities would be a talent hunt for players across the country.
He said that once elected NFF president, he would ensure the Nigerian Football League becomes highly standardised and attractive to sponsors.
He stated that the NFF needed a better hand to take it to greater heights, and he was ready and willing to do the job.
On selecting players for international assignments, Gusau said if elected, he would apply merit and hard work as yardsticks.
He expressed optimism that the election committee would conduct a free and fair election come September 30.
The former Team Manager of Zamfara United FC, Abdul’azeez Damba, said the entire football stakeholders in Zamfara State were solidly behind Ibrahim Gusau.
Damba said: “If there is any word better than competence, I will use it to describe Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
“I am so sure that he is the man the cap fits, and he is the man for the job.
“All the stakeholders here will throw our weight behind Gusau not only because he is from our state, but because he is the most competent person for the position of the NFF president.”
Damba promised to sponsor some supporters of Gusau to Benin for the election.
He also pledged to provide souvenirs as part of his contribution towards ensuring Gusau emerges the next NFF president in Benin.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that some members of the State Executive Council and top officials of the Ministry of Sports attended the event.