Akwa Ibom State FA, Football Stakeholders Endorse Otuekong Nse Essien for Second Term on NFF Board

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.