The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung, has endorsed Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick for a seat on the Executive Comittee in the upcoming CAF Elections.

The state minister incharge of sports assured  Pinnick of the support for the CAF elections on Tuesday in Abuja after a meeting that was held at the Abuja Stadium.

During the three hours long meeting, Dulung welcomed the Nigeria Football Federation board’s decision allowing the NFF president to use  his discretion to vote for any of the two candidates vying for the CAF Presidential seat.

“The board reaffirmed its earlier decision mandating Pinnick to contest for an executive position in CAF, and we collectively wish the president well in his bid and pray for his success. On the issue of the position of Nigeria, the board also mandated the president, who is a delegate at the election, to exercise his vote in the interest of Nigeria,” Dalung stated.

“We have endorsed the candidacy of Amaju Melvin Pinnick to run for a seat on the CAF executive committee” Dalung further stated.

However,when asked to comment on Pinnick’s declaration on international media that Nigeria will vote for Madagascan FA President, Ahmad Ahmad the minister stated that it was a personal opinion but not the stand of Nigeria as a country.

“I listened to the NFF president’s interview on CNN very well; in all his submission, he was only expressing his opinion on a particular candidate he believes in. But the board has mandated him to go and exercise this vote in our national interest”, responded Dalung.

The CAF election is slated for the16th of March, 2017 in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia.