Nigeria's President, Bola Tinubu, supported Amaju Pinnick in his bid to retain his FIFA Council seat, despite his unsuccessful attempt.
The former NFF president lost the seat by a single vote during the 14th CAF Extraordinary Congress in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday.
Pinnick received 28 votes, just one shy of both Ahmed Yahya of Mauritania and Souleman Hassan Waberi of Djibouti, who each secured 29 votes to earn a spot on the prestigious panel.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, stated that President Bola Tinubu provided Amaju Pinnick with the necessary support during his re-election bid.
According to Westernpost, the former Ogun State Commissioner for Sports emphasized that Pinnick fought a commendable battle, despite not being a sitting president.
Olopade also noted that the former Delta FA chairman leveraged his position to bring football closer to Nigerians.
He said: "I am very proud of you, Amaju Melvin Pinnick. You fought to the very end as a strong man that you are. You had a stint in CAF and FIFA where you used your network to position so many Nigerians and did a good job for our country."
"I came to Egypt along with the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give you all the necessary support."
"We saw firsthand how the politics of only serving Chairmen of Federations should and must emerge, but despite this, you lost only narrowly by one vote."
Former NFF president Amaju Pinnick has described his journey in football administration as an achievement he will always cherish.
According to Vanguard, the former CAF Vice President stated that he holds no bitterness and is instead filled with gratitude toward everyone who supported his efforts.
First time since 2011 that Amaju Pinnick will not be holding any office in football (locally and internationally). Fifteen years of power, bliss and big talks ended in Cairo.
— Fisayo Dairo (@FisayoDairo) March 12, 2025
Like ID Cabasa said in that famous interview last month: “The crown will not be with you forever.” KTKP pic.twitter.com/S17U95N5pi
