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By Emmanuel Adeleke
Ibrahim Musa Gusau has become the 40th President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Gusau was elected as the new president at NFF’s 78th elective congress in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Friday.
In the first round of voting, Gusau polled 21 votes to defeat his closet challenger, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, who got 12 votes. The erstwhile League Management Committee Chairman, Shehu Dikko, garnered six votes to place third.
Dr. Christian Emeruwa had 0 vote, while Peterside Idah, Alhaji Abba Abdullahi Yola and David-Buhari Doherty had 1,1 and 0 votes respectively.
However, there was a rerun as the man with the highest number of votes did not meet the requirements.
According to the election guidelines, the required votes is 22 and Gusau only had 21.
In the rerun election, all other aspirants except Peterside Idah stepped for Gusau.
After the rerun election, Gusau polled 39 votes while Idah had 1 vote.
Speaking after the rerun election, Idah said: “Congratulations to Ibrahim Gusau. The truth is that I understand the politics. People make promises with hope. I came from outside to prove a point. I will be back next four years. The election cost me 15-20 million naira. We won’t stop until the Congress is expanded. When we expand the Congress it will be a level playing ground.
“The process today wasn’t bad. My life goes on. I have work to do at SuperSport. I am also a Pastor. I will be the NFF President. I will also be ready to offer my support to Gusau if he deems me worthy of such.”