NRA ELECTIONS: ‘Anointed’ Candidate Sani Zubairu Set To Outsmart Outgoing Boss In Power Play
Sani Zubairu, long-serving head of the NFF Referees unit and Deputy NRA President, has been “anointed” by the new powers-that-be to be elected President of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) tomorrow in Ilorin.
The former FIFA-badged referee from Bauchi State enjoys the full backing of both NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and his bossom friend, Sharif Inuwa ‘Ahlan’, who is also on the Executive Committee of the NFF.
Gusau has attempted to deny his preferred candidate for the NRA top post, but the last few days have shown the hand of the football federation in who will succeed Otunba Tade Azeez (PICTURED) as NRA President.
Gusau and Ahlan are in the blue corner with Zubairu, while in the red corner are Seyi Akinwunmi, who plans to give the NFF Presidency another shot come 2026;Tade Azeez and their own preferred choice, Suleiman Omeiza, who is the Secretary General of the association.
The Northen Bloc will again be crucial who will lead the NRA for the next four years even though the South, where the outgoing NRA President comes from will be throwing its weight behind Suleiman Omeiza.
Tade Azeez has himself been “anointed” as the next Chairman of the Lagos FA after Akinwunmi opted not to extend his 12-year tenure.
The Akinwunmi camp will give it a good go to hold on to power in the Lagos FA, but retaining control of the NRA Presidency will be a bridge too far for them.
