By Godwin Bamigboye.

Amaju Melvin Pinnick, former President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and currently Executive Committee member of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) and indeed former Vice President of Confederation of African Football (CAF) is seeking the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministries of Sports Development and Foreign Affairs to enable him get re-election into the Executive Board of FIFA.

Before I step further, who says that Government has no business in Football? At least for now, government remains a stakeholder. However, I detest their undue interference in sports. I admire government intervention in sports. I guess you do also. Remo Stars in particular, Doma United, Sporting Lagos and some clubs in the Nigeria National League (NNL) are showing signs that the private ownership of Football may soon become a reality. Till when the reality comes, government intervention remains.

I saw Amaju Pinnick's letter seeking for the support of his beloved country, Nigeria. Commendable! While I was expressing my commendations about Pinnick, somebody told me that he had earlier boasted that he doesn't really need home support for him to get re-election. Though he claimed that what he said is in open space. It is viral, he said. I really did not believe it but, I merely stated that it is quite unfortunate if he ever made such statement.

Nigeria, I need your support. This literally is what Pinnick is telling Nigerians in his letter. Does he really deserve the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria? One may ask what benefits has accrued to Nigeria in his current tenure on the FIFA Executive Council and even as Vice President of CAF? What did Nigeria benefit from him? He said some Nigerians were given appointments in CAF and FIFA as a result of his intervention. Is this statement true? If so, what will be your response? I will say it is a slip of the tongue.

I remember in a previous write up where I described Pinnick's tenure as self-serving in view of the fact that he speedily became Vice President of CAF and Executive Council member of FIFA while Football nose dived. What was the achievement of Nigeria when he was in the helm of affairs of Football in Nigeria? Questions begging for answers. I think Amaju Pinick will need to convince Nigerians that he performed while in office. 

The question I want to ask Nigerians is, should the Federal Government of Nigeria support Amaju Melvin Pinick for re-election into the FIFA Executive Council? I know you have your answers. I am entitled to take a position also.

If you ask me my position, I will simply tell you in the spirit of patriotism that the Federal Government should give Amaju Pinnick their support. He should be interrogated and should be asked to convince the Federal Government what benefits will accrue to Nigeria and Nigerians if he gets re-election into FIFA Executive Council.
I think we should give him another chance. This is my thought. I would have made a suggestion to replace but the process will be too tough and laborious. I think supporting a Nigerian who already has some advantages will make it easier. I am only being patriotic. If my position on Amaju Pinnick makes meaning, then we may now tell the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar and the Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh to unanimously adopt him and extend the needed support for the re-election of Amaju Melvin Pinnick into the FIFA Executive Council.
This is the view of Spectator.