Nigeria loses CAF seat to Benin

President, Confederation of African Football, Issa Hayatou
| credits: naijaese.blogspot.com

Nigeria’s candidate to the Confederation of African Football executive election Alhaji Aminu Maigari on Sunday lost the election to his opponent from the Republic of Benin Anjorin Moucharaf. Maigari who is the president of the Nigeria Football Federation had arrived in Morocco full of hope and confidence as he enjoyed the full political backing of the government of Nigeria.

An eye witness to the details of events in Morocco Mr. Paul Bassey told The PUNCH that the Nigerian delegation to the CAF Ordinary Congress in Marrakech stopped campaigning Saturday night when news filtered in that their efforts were being frustrated by their fellow country man.

He said, “For over four hours, up till 3am on Sunday, tempers rose as accusations rent the air on what was considered a selfish and self seeking act against the state. On approaching delegates for their votes, the Nigerians were told that they had counter instructions from Nigeria to the effect that the Benin candidate (Anjorin) Moucharaf should be supported.”

None of those in Morocco could name the saboteur who engineered Maigari’s defeat even though it was said that the matter would be pursued to “logical conclusion” when they return to the country.

Weakened by the discovery of betrayal, but determined to continue with the race, the Nigerians arrived at the Congress venue to be met with more revelations of pre-election decisions.

He added, “This was finally manifested when the votes for West Africa Zone B were counted and Maigari polled 17 votes as against Moucharaf’s 27 and the third candidate Hima Souley from Niger got 9.”

Souley was eliminated because a simple majority had not been established while Maigari and Moucharaf went for a second ballot which ended 35 to 19 in favour of the Beninoise.

The PUNCH learnt that Moucharaf was arrested two years ago on allegations of embezzling sponsorship money and spent more than six months in jail.

Two years ago, Nigeria also lost the opportunity of returning to the CAF executive seat left vacant by Dr. Amos Adamu under similar circumstance.

In some other elections, president Issa Hayatou was returned unopposed for another four year term. Also returned unopposed were Mohammed Raouaoua of Algeria and Magdi Sham El Din of Sudan.

In his post election speech, CAF President Hayatou thanked his African colleagues for “the confidence reposed on him and promised to serve African football with all his might.”