TheCable

Solomon Dalung, minister of sports, says Amaju Pinnick, president of Nigeria Football Federation, must vote in the interest of the country during the Confederation of African Football election.

The minister, who presided over a meeting between the NFF board members and Nigerian members of CAF on Tuesday, said the country must stand with its neighbours in the election.

The minister advised the CAF committee members to allow Pinnick exercise his rights as the NFF president while stressing that whatever he decides must be favourable to Nigeria.

“I have stated this before and I am going to say it again, Nigeria will stand with his neighbour,” Dalung said.

“I am convinced that as a major player in African football as a big brother, we are neighbours to all Africans. But Pinnick must exercise his voting right at the election in the interest of Nigeria.

“The CAF presidential elections is all about African politics. Every country is going there to protect national interest.

“So, Nigeria’s interest should also be paramount and the most important thing for Nigeria as well.

“We affirmed the earlier decision of the NFF board for Amaju Pinnick to contest for the executive position in CAF. We collectively wish Pinnick success in the elections.

“On the issue of who to vote for in the upcoming CAF presidential elections, we have mandated the NFF president, who is also a delegate, to exercise his vote in the interest of Nigeria.

“Pinnick expressed his personal opinions on his choice of candidate for the post of the CAF president but the board has mandated him to express his vote with Nigeria interest in mind.

“Anyone and everyone is free to express his or her opinion because we are in a democracy,” he concluded.

During the meeting, Dalung also resolved the rift between Pinnick and the Nigerian committee members of CAF.

The CAF presidential election will take place on March 16 in Ethiopia.