By Tony Ubani, Warri

Ahead of the elections into the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), slated to take place today in Warri, Delta State the candidates contesting the election as president have promised to reposition the country’s football in line with what is applicable in other countries.

Speaking at a forum organized by the Sports Writers Association (SWAN) tagged: 2014 NFF Presidential Debate, all six of the seven contestants who participated in the exercise agreed that all is not well with football in Nigeria hence the urgent need to reconcile all members of the Nigerian football family.

Former Secretary General of the NFF, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi said he has an eight-point agenda which includes repositioning the local league as well as build a sustainable programme which will encourage talent discovery and development.

In his own submission, former international Dominic Iorfa identified weak leadership as one cardinal reason fuelling the crisis rocking football in the country. He also assured that he will set up a national academy like what he has done with Lobi Stars of Makurdi.

Abba Yola a one time chairman of Kano Pillars while presenting his own manifesto said that time has come for Nigerian football to begin to do things the right way. He also said he will work hard to improve on a close working relationship between the NFF and the parent body, the National Sports Commission (NSC).

For Amanze Uchegbulam the chairman of Imo State FA, there is a burning need to review the administration of football in the country. He equally decried what he described as the culture of treating the state FA chairman like outsiders.

The chairman of the Delta State FA, Amaju Pinnick said the administration of football under his watch will be a collective responsibility. He added that if elected he will improve on what the immediate past board under Alhaji Aminu Maigari did.

Chief Mike Umeh, the former first vice president of the NFF in his own submission said he has all the experience needed to run the federation haven been in football administration in the last 30 years.

However one of the candidates cleared for the election, Shehu Dikko was absent. No reason was given for that.