BY BENEDICT NWACHUKWU, ABUJA
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has thrown his weight behind the candidacy of seasoned sports administrator, Abba Yola, in the forthcoming Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Committee elections.
Gov Ganduje while receiving Abba Yola and his team, who were at the Aminu Kano Governor’s lodge, Abuja, to inform him of his ambition and to seek his support said if not for formality, he does not need to inform him or seek his support.
” In fact if not for formality, you don’t need to come and seek for my support or present yourself otherwise I could have been the one that would hold your hand, take you round across the states and other stakeholders and present you and urge people to vote for you. But since you have decided to come, I welcome you.”
The governor who was confident that Abba Yola is another prized gift from Kano State to Nigerian football administration after Ibrahim Galadima, described him as the best candidate for the job.
“I am behind you not because you are son of the soil of Kano but because you deserve it. You have been in the sporting arena for a long time, you have acclimatized yourself and therefore you are a member of the sporting family particularly football in Nigeria.
“You have the experience, you have the capacity, you have the capability and beyond that the attribute of a quality sports administrator for that matter and this is not new to the people of Kano State. I could recall Ibrahim Galadima who is still very much around, if I can say, you are his tutelege, I think I am right. So, knowing what he did and still doing for football, I think one can conclude that you can do the job because you have the ability to take Sports in the country to the highest level.”
He assured the candidate of a total support from him and the good people of Kano State saying, “We shall give you every assistance to support you because we know you can lead the sporting bodies in Nigeria, especially the Nigerian football. You will do us proud. So we have to do all what it takes to support you, to campaign for you and to pray for you and I believe you are the best candidate for the job at this trial moment because of the record of your performance these years.”
Lamenting the decay Nigerian football is passing through in international competitions, particularly, football with the country missing out in this year’s FIFA World Cup holding in Qatar, Gov Ganduje said, ” Considering our performance so far in international competitions, we require somebody who will not but coordinate, who will lead or understand international politics in the football sector because it’s a global issue. No matter how you do well as a country, you need to understand the politics, know the intrigues and play it very well and I am very sure you are the right person,” he said.
Earlier, the candidate, Abba Yola, appreciated the governor for giving him the opportunity to chair the state owned football club, Kano Pillars during which he led the club to a back to back winning of the country’s elite league; the Nigeria Premier League and qualified it to compete in the CAF Champions League.
Abba Yola assured the governor that he has the requisites to lead the country’s football federation and take her football to an enviable next level.
Present to witness the endorsement were the state’s Commissioners for Finance and Economic Development, Aminu Muktar Dan’amu and Information, Mallam Mohammed Garba.
