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With the coast now clear for him to contest for
one of the executive seats of both the Confederation of African Football, and
FIFA’s General Assembly, former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) boss, Ibrahim
Galadima has called for support from the country’s football community.

“The position is Nigeria’s position; Galadima’s
name was just forwarded as the candidate to run for that office to represent
Nigeria. I am sure the authorities in Nigeria are aware of the time left
between now and the 23rd of February so am sure they know what to do in terms
of getting across to other African countries so that Nigeria does not lose that
seat. I hope everybody puts in their best to see that we get a good result at
the end of the day,” Galadima said on a local radio station.

The Appeals Committee of FIFA had on Friday
upheld the three year ban and fine handed to Amos Adamu who was the former
representative of the country in the two football bodies but Galadima sees no
reason to celebrate the downfall of a compatriot.

In November 2010, Adamu was banned as well as
fined by FIFA for breaching their code of ethics after he allegedly demanded
for money ($800,000 – N120 million) during a sting operation by the British
newspaper, Sunday Times, and he asked that the money, which he demanded to
build artificial football pitches in Nigeria be paid into his private account.

Though Galadima stands to gain from Adamu’s
problems, he says he is not happy it happened.

“Not at all I am not celebrating Adamu’s
misfortune; it’s not in my character to celebrate other peoples down fall” he
said.

No need to worry

With barely sixteen days to the CAF elections in Khartoum,
Sudan, former Nigerian International, Adokiye Amiesimaka has dispelled fears
expressed in some quarters that Nigeria’s chances in the elections will be
affected by the snag on the country’s image following the “cash for vote”
scandal involving Adamu.

Amiesimaka said: “On the surface we might be affected but I am
sure members of the international community are sensible more than that, there
are individuals all over the world that are crooks, it doesn’t matter where
they come from. We have crooks from all over the world, so if one has been
found out in a particular country it doesn’t mean that everybody from that
country is a crook.

“However for certain, aside that it is a big embarrassment,
everybody coming from Nigeria will be looked upon with suspicion; that is
natural but that does mean it will seriously jeopardise our chances at the
elections in CAF and FIFA, ” the former national team winger added.

Galadima is expected to jostle for one of the FIFA seats reserved for CAF
with Jacques Anouma from Cote d’Ivoire, Danny Jordaan from South Africa, riding
the crest of a successful World Cup hosted by his country and Mohamed Rouaroua
from Algeria.