President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick says he has not changed his stance of not running for a third tenure in office.
There have been reports lately that Pinnick has made a U-turn on an earlier statement he made in April that he will not contest the September election.
But speaking on Arise TV on Monday, Pinnick said he still hold on to his initial stance of leaving in September because there are so much hate and bitterness against him.
“I love this country but the issue of hate and bitterness. Institutions that are meant to protect you are the ones opening you up for humiliation, ridicule and possible annihilation,” he said.
“There are 7.7 billion people in the world but there are only 37 people in FIFA and a Nigerian is one of them. It is good enough for us, but some people want that flag to be removed. I’m not against criticism.
“A lot of Nigerians have called about my third term bid. They said, ‘Pinnick, we are building this country and you must be an integral part of it.’ But I said listen, ‘I love Nigeria but my family is key and number one’. Every time, I’m having issues, my family is tired.
“For now, I said ‘no’ and I still stand by it because you don’t want to go to a terrain where bitterness, hatred, and animosity are, for no reason other than the fact that it is Amaju Pinnick. If you ask any of the haters what has Pinnick done wrong; if they tell me today I will resign.”
His tenure will end on September 20.
Allegations of corruption, lack of transparency and accountability have dogged the NFF in recent years.
Pinnick has come under intense scrutiny over his handling of the affairs of the NFF, with his critics accusing him of misusing the funds of the football body.
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