The Federal Capital Territory Football Association has a new chairman in person of Adams Abbas Mouktar- Muhammed, who on Thursday in Kuje defeated incumbent chairman Musa Talle by 11 votes to 4 to lead the association in the next four years .
The elections was held amidst tight security by men of the Nigerian Police Force and Civil Defence
There was apprehension before the elections get underway but, when voting started, all fears soon disappeared as the chairmanship election quickly became a no-contest, with Talle getting only four votes.
Godwin Bamigboye, the third contestant for the chairmanship position, who had earlier in the day announced he was quitting the race, got no vote recorded for him.
While withdrawing from the race, Bamigboye had accused the Electoral Committee chairman, Victor Ijeremen, a retired FIFA-badged referee, of violating the association’s statutes and electoral guidelines.
Although he did not cite the provision(s) allegedly violated by the electoral committee, he said he no longer had confidence in the credibility of the outcome of the election.
Ijeremen however told Bamigboye, who is the chairman of FCT Football Coaches Association, that his decision to step down was inconsequential.
“This (withdrawal) has no consequence, coming on elections day when his (Bamigboye’s) name has already appeared on the ballot paper,’’ he had said.
18 candidates vied for nine positions in the elections.
The positions are: Chairman, First Vice-Chairman, Second Vice-Chairman, Area Councils’ Representative, Women’s Representative and four other members of the board.
Delegates who participated in the voting process were drawn from the six FCT area councils of AMAC, Bwari, Kuje, Gwagwalada, Kwali and Abaji.
Other participants were the representatives of FCT Players’ Union, Referees Council, Coaches Association, Women’s League, FCT Sports Department, football academies and the FCT Football League.
Salisu Kolo scored 10 votes to beat Patrick Ngwaogu who had five in the race for the First Vice-Chairman position, while John Gaza emerged Second Vice-Chairman after defeating Sarki Hamidu 9-6.
Dauda Pascal emerged the Area Councils’ Representative with nine votes, defeating Musa Elisha who polled five votes, while Ngozi Eze had 11 votes to emerge the Women’s Representative.
Others voted in as board members are: Abimbola Samuel (nine votes), Adamu Hasimu (nine votes), Patrick Bassey (eight votes) and Wakili John (seven votes).
In his acceptance speech shortly after the new board was sworn in, Muhammed thanked his predecessor for his contributions to the development of football in the FCT.
He also commended the electoral committee for its transparency and credibility.
“I campaigned widely in the FCT and promised to carry everyone along for the good of the game. That promise stands.’’
Muhammed later told sports journalists he was delighted about how smoothly the electoral process went.
He also said the development of football facilities in the FCT and welfare of stakeholders ranked high on his agenda.
“We want to develop football facilities in the area councils. We also want to critically address the welfare of players, coaches, referees and other stakeholders.
