FIFA SEAT: TORO BLAMES MINISTRY, NFA FOR GALADIMA'S LOSS

As Nigerians lament the defeat of Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima at the CAF/FIFA elections held in Khartoum, Sudan last Wednesday, former NFA Secretary General, Alhaji Sani Toro has blamed the Sports Ministry and the NFA for his loss.

Toro, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, made this know while speaking with Saturday Vanguard Sports, stressing  that the support for Galadima came late after knowing the fate of Adamu from FIFA's Appeal Committee.

'Everybody knew when they started convassing for Galadima. All of a sudden there was an instruction that the status-quo should be maintained until Adamu lost his appeal, that was when they started preparing for his election. Definitely, some of us who are very conversant with rules as sports administrators knew that there was no way Galadima would have won the election.

The former Bauchi State Sports Commissioner advised that  the Sports Ministry should monitor what happens with Adamu's appeal with Court of Arbitration in Sports, CAS, so they can know the right time to talk to CAF President, Alhaji Issa Hayatou on Adamu's replacement in CAF.

'The next step forward is for us to watch what will happen concerning Adamu's case at the Court of Arbitration. If he is freed from the allegation, then he would conclude his tenure, if not, Nigeria should see to the replacement of him in CAF by lobbing Issa Hayatou. The seat is not vacant because of Adamu's case at CAS.

'Don't blame Adamu for not withdrawing his appeal from the Court of Arbitration; he wants to protect his image. Also, we cannot apportion blame to any of the CAF representatives for not electing Galadima. They were working with what is on ground.

'Now, we have to go to the drawing board having in mind that Adamu will withdraw his case from CAS to show his interest in Nigeria's football,' Toro stated.