Odegbami rolls out manifesto, bids for FIFA president (new)

ITRealms:

The 63-year-old and former Nigeria international, Segun Odegbami has made public his intention to take over the seat of Sepp Blatter as next FIFA president, ITRealms reports.

Odegbami while speaking to BBC Sport said, "Africa must play a big role in world football. My life's ambition has always been to use football to make a difference in my local space and across the world”

Candidates wishing to replace the incumbent,  ITRealms gathered, have until 26 October to receive the backing of five FIFA members, even as elections will be held on 26 February 2016, with Uefa chief Michel Platini and South Korea's Chung Mong-joon among those to have already announced their bids.

Brazil great Zico and former Trinidad and Tobago international David Nakhid have also declared their intentions, with a third African - South Africa's Tokyo Sexwale - also considering a bid.

Swiss Blatter, ITRealms learnt, announced he was stepping down in June after football's world governing body was plunged into crisis in late May, when nine FIFA officials were indicted on corruption charges by United States authorities.

"I see myself fitting into this role." The right winger rose to fame with Shooting Stars of Ibadan - winning league titles and Nigeria's first continental club crown.  He scored two goals in 1980 Africa Cup of Nations final as Nigeria won tournament for the first time and  finished second in 1980 African Footballer of the Year poll. He also captained Nigeria at 1980 Olympic Games, ITRealms reports.

Nicknamed 'Mathematical 7' for his precision passing Odegbami added that his bid will have the "highest sense of responsibility, integrity, transparency, probity and accountability". He also said he intends to create a "new and optimistic future for football that focuses on human, infrastructural, social and community development across the world"

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!
Pix:Segun Odegbami

Breaking News: Sepp Blatter, FIFA forced to resign

ITRealms

The longest serving President of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), Mr. Sepp Blatter, personally on Tuesday announced his decision to resign from the office he won for the fifth times, reports ITRealms.

This is coming as allegation upon allegation bribe scandal over FIFA under his watch linked with some 14 senior members of FIFA for accepting about 10 million dollars in bribes from the South African government among others. 

ITRealms recalls that for over a week now, moreso before the last FIFA election a few days ago, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States have beamed its searchlight on FIFA over corruption. 

However, the former FIFA President while announcing his resignation disclosed he will summon an "extraordinary congress" of the football governing body to pick his successor. 

According to him, "I only want to do the best for FIFA and my institution. I decided to stand again as the best option for football. The elections are closed but the challenges we face haven't come to an end. FIFA needs restructuring. Although FIFA have given me a new mandate, it doesn't seem to be supported by everyone - fans, clubs; those who inspire FIFA like we do."

Blatter's reign in FIFA has been on for 17 years.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) 

 

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!