How unrepentant Pinnick refused to eat the humble pie

On Friday, April 8, the embattled president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick, appeared to have  bowed to pressure from Nigerians as he grudgingly renounced his secret ambition to run for another term. Following Super Eagles failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, not a few Nigerians want him out of […]

On Friday, April 8, the embattled president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick, appeared to have  bowed to pressure from Nigerians as he grudgingly renounced his secret ambition to run for another term. Following Super Eagles failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, not a few Nigerians want him out of the Sunday Dankaro House.

Even before now, the Warri-born sports administrator wasn’t in the good books of most football stakeholders who continuously   decried his sole administrator’s style of leadership. So when the opportunity came for them to put him in his place, they grabbed it with both hands.

Apart from his accomplices in the crimes against Nigerian football,  every one who knows the extent to which Nigerian football has declined wants him out. It is against this background that Pinnick was left with no option than to deny his well known third term ambition the same way Peter denied Jesus Christ.

Since no amount of rainfall can wash away the spots on a leopard’s skin, Pinnick was his usual self as he remained arrogant and proud while saying no to his third term ambition. Secondly, his listeners were disapointed that he didn’t apologise and announce his immediate resignation.

Instead of delivering his message in a sober and subdued tone, Pinnick remained haughty as he put on his FIFA Executive Committee jacket to boast of his messianic qualities and   indispensability to Nigerian football.

In a brief interview with Arise Tv, he said “I am eligible to run (for another term as NFF President), based on the statutes. Do I want to run, at this moment? It’s a no-no, because my family say so. They say I have put in my all, I have given my best and it is time to move on.”

While Nigerians were still trying to recover from his shabby response to the clamour for him to resign, Pinnick went a step further in his next interview with a veteran sports journalist, Godwin Enakhena. He said “I was interviewed yesterday. I have done my best. Prosperity will possibly judge whether I did my best or if I was good enough or not.

“I am still an integral part of football. I am a member of the FIFA Executive Council. I am not a peripheral member. I am also a CAF Executive Committee member and a member of the CAF bureau, what do you call it, emergency committee. I am also vice president of the AFCON Committee. So I am very deep in football.

“It was a very tough decision but my wife, kids and extended family believe that I have put in so much. It is a job that is thankless, you know. I don’t want to go into the nitty gritty but God knows that we did a lot…”

Infact, Pinnick provoked Nigerians the more when he said the NFF presidency is a thankless job. Obviously, it was a bare-faced lie because it is an open secret that anyone who occupies that office is more powerful than even the Minister of Sports. 

NFF is without doubt  one of the richest parastatals in Nigeria that gets money left, right and centre. In fact, NFF presidents usually have nearly limitless access to both local and foreign currencies such that occupants of the office usually hate to leave in a hurry. No wonder, anyone who is forced out of the NFF plum job continues to grumble.

It is this same most coveted office that Pinnick tried whole heartedly to deceive Nigerians that it is a good for nothing job. But this same NFF  presidential platform is what he has used to reach the pinnacle of world football administration. Before now, he had served as a state FA Chairman and Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission when his state owned Warri Wolves were relegated from the NPFL to the National League.

It was also shocking that Pinnick still had the guts to call Nigerians ‘bad belle’ people when he said they like to hate successful men like him. He also hinted that without him, it will be extremely difficult for any corporate organisation to do business with the NFF. If this is not someone arrogantly displaying an air of indispensability, then I don’t know what else it is.

Instead of using the opportunity provided by his interviewer to appeal for pardon from aggrieved Nigerians, Pinnick refused to eat the humble pie. As a matter of fact, we are lucky that the ‘god of football’ didn’t place a curse on Nigerian football.

As if he is not to be trusted, Nigerians have since taken with a pinch of salt Pinnick’s half hearted declaration that he will not be coming out for another term. Maybe he has not been found to be a man of his words. Maybe like Nigerian politicians, he also speaks from the two sides of his mouth.

Therefore, the unanimous conclusion by Nigerians is that since he is capable of reneging on his words, it is better to wait till September to see whether or not he will keep to his vow.

For now, Pinnick is unrepentant as he still believes he is the best thing that has happened to Nigerian football. Therefore, a little prodding by some sycophantic elements would make him change his mind. 

Moreover, the recent appointment of coaches by the NFF show clearly that Nigerians are still being taken for a ride by Pinnick and his accomplices. They have learnt nothing and nothing has changed.