The Akwa Ibom State Football Association and football stakeholders in the state have endorsed Rt. Hon. Otuekong Nse Essien Udofot for a second term as the NFF Executive Board Member representing the South-South zone.

Otuekong Nse Essien first emerged as an NFF Executive Board Member representing the South-South after winning a keenly contested election on September 30, 2022.

Having obtained his nomination form to seek another term, the former member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has now received the backing of his home state.

The endorsement was announced during a meeting with the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, and the Akwa Ibom State Football Association Chairman, Mr Samuel Umoh.

Delivering the endorsement of the Football Association, Mr Samuel Umoh praised Otuekong Nse Essien for what he described as outstanding leadership and his contributions to the development of football and sports in Akwa Ibom, the South-South and Nigeria.

He said Essien’s performance during his first term had provided a strong reason for the Football Association to support his bid for another term.

“One good term deserves another,” Umoh said, while describing Essien as an “Amazon and shining light” in football administration.

The Football Association chairman also stated that football stakeholders and the wider football community in Akwa Ibom were united behind Essien’s candidacy ahead of the NFF elections in September.

The Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, also praised Essien for his performance during his first term.

Bassey described his first term as remarkable, saying his work had made Akwa Ibom proud and brought satisfaction to the South-South zone. He added that he had no doubt Essien would do even more if given another term.

The Commissioner endorsed Essien’s bid for another term and wished him success in the forthcoming election.

Responding, Rt. Hon. Nse Essien thanked the football family in Akwa Ibom for the support he has received.

He highlighted some of his achievements during his first term and promised to do more if re-elected.

Otuekong Nse Essien also assured football stakeholders across Akwa Ibom and the South-South of his continued commitment to developing the game and improving football in the region.

Meanwhile, the NFF Electoral Committee has released the timetable for this year’s NFF Executive Committee elections, which will be held on September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

According to the roadmap, the publication of the rules and guidelines and the sale of nomination forms began on August 1, while August 12 is the deadline for submitting the collected forms.

Notification of candidates about irregularities in their documents will take place from August 13 to 19, followed by regularisation from August 20 to 27.

Candidate screening is scheduled for August 27 to 30, with the list of cleared candidates to be published on August 31.

Disqualified candidates will have from September 1 to 3 to appeal, while appeals will be considered between September 4 and 10.

The final list of cleared candidates will be published from September 11 to 12, followed by the publication of the delegates’ list on September 13.

Cleared candidates will be allowed to campaign from September 14 to 24, while the deadline for submitting election petitions is September 30.

With the election drawing closer and the complete backing of Akwa Ibom State, Otuekong Nse Essien will now look to secure the support of other delegates across the country as he seeks another term on the NFF Executive Board.

Gianni Infantino is in a dogfight to save his FIFA presidency. The national soccer federations of Sweden and Wales have withdrawn their support for his re-election bid, with the English Football Association reportedly set to do likewise. Those follow similar rebukes from Europe’s UEFA and North America’s CONCACAF. Football fans and clubs have been up in arms over Infantino’s now-scrapped plans to sell off shares of World Cup profits to private investors.

Stefon Diggs is still looking for his next NFL team with the 2026 season approaching.

Diggs enjoyed a productive season with the New England Patriots in 2025, helping the team reach the Super Bowl. However, they chose not to bring the veteran receiver back for another year, leaving him on the open market heading into August.

One team to watch is the Washington Commanders. In a report published on Tuesday, ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler said Diggs is on Washington’s radar and that the interest appears to be mutual.

Fowler noted that Diggs, a native of the Washington area, likes the possibility of returning home.

“The Commanders are still in see-what-we-have mode at receiver, but I’m told free agent Stefon Diggs is on the team’s radar,” the article read. “Washington is monitoring the situation with Diggs, who’s intrigued by the chance to play in Washington (he’s from the area).

“Let’s see how things play out, but it seems like this is a realistic option as the sides keep in contact.”

During his one year in New England, Diggs started every game and emerged as Drake Maye’s preferred target. He finished the regular season with 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns, then added 14 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs.

A move to Washington would likely position Diggs as the team’s No. 2 receiver behind Terry McLaurin. Given his recent production, he stands out as one of the most appealing veteran receivers still on the market, even with names such as Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen and DeAndre Hopkins also available.

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Bills also leaving the door open for a potential Stefon Diggs reunion

Stefon Diggs was impressive in his four-year run with the Buffalo Bills, catching 445 passes for 5,372 yards and 37 touchdowns before being traded to the Houston Texans ahead of the 2024 season.

Speculation about a return to Buffalo has surfaced this week, and head coach Joe Brady’s latest comments have only fueled that conversation. Appearing on “Up & Adams” on Saturday, Brady credited Diggs with helping transform the team’s offense and also helping QB Josh Allen’s growth into an elite quarterback.

“Stef was awesome for us here. I mean, look, Stef, the success that he had in Buffalo, like part of the offense that I’m running and we’re continuing to elevate, it was him coming here and what he was able to do with our offense to continue to get us to this point. Josh wouldn’t have continued to elevate the career that he had without a guy like Stefon Diggs.

“I don’t know anything (about Diggs returning). I know (Brandon) Beane’s always with the mindset that we’re always out there and rolling,” Brady said.

The Bills have received encouraging early-camp performances from D.J. Moore and rookie Skyler Bell, but Diggs’ track record makes him difficult to ignore as one of the top free agents still available.