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Lulu cautions Pinnick over Hayatou’s bid for CAF presidency

By ghanasoccernet.com
Confederation Cup Lulu cautions Pinnick over Hayatous bid for CAF presidency
FEB 24, 2017 LISTEN


A former President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi , has advised  the president of the Federation ,Amaju Pinnick, to tread carefully on his  position not to support  long-serving president of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, Cameroon's Issa Hayatou,  who is contesting for the post  for eighth successive term.

Lulu said that Hayatou deserves    Nigeria's support because the Cameroonian has proved over the years to be a true friend of the country, as well  as a leader that has equally done so well  for the continent's football globally.

He said a matter like CAF leadership election requires consultation with the NFF Executive Committee, the   Congress, and the Federal Government on 'this sensitive matter that portends great implication for our image and foreign relations.'

According to Lulu,'it will be height of insensitivity and dangerous politics on the part of NFF president  to just throw his  support for Ahmad Ahmad of Madagascar, as against Issa Hayatou, just because of his  differences with the new FIFA leadership.

Lulu recalled the unquantifiable support advanced to Nigeria by Hayatou -led CAF during the country's hosting of FIFA-under 17 World Cup in 2009, as well as the hosting of CAF Congress in the same year.

He added:' It is also a known fact that Hayatou's intervention influenced my withdrawal of our case before CAS on our illegal impeachment as the NFF president and members of the Executive in 2010.' The former NFF president added that Hayatou's reign as CAF leader ensured the sustenance of peace in African football; and in comparison   with FIFA's recent purge , the Hayatou-led CAF executive     has maintained  zero tolerance for corruption..Alhaji Lulu therefore appealed to the Sports Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung to intervene on this matter, since the position of CAF president is a political matter in cognizance of    CAF president's position and the country's leading  role in African affairs . He declared: 'This is an issue that requires government intervention because at CAF level, the interest of government and Nigeria should be paramount over any other consideration.'

Pinnick had in an interview with BBC revealed that the NFF was backing Ahmad Ahmad of Magagascar  basing his reason on the need to effect change of leadership in CAF's hierarchy, adding Africa was due for 'a new generation ' of leadership.

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