Chikelue Iloenyosi, a former Super Eagles defender, says he was not appointed as chairman of Anambra State Football Association, but duly elected, Completesports.com reports.
Iloenyosi, who featured for the Nigeria U20s during the Nigeria ’99 FIFA U20 World Cup, disclosed that he stood for the Chairmanship of Anambra FA during the Elective Congress in 2020 unopposed.
The Anambra FA Elections were held in 2020. In the Chairmanship poll, Iloenyosi’s petition against his only contestant, Dr Emeka Okeke, led to the disqualification of the latter for allegedly falling short of the NFF Integrity rule which came into effect in 2017.
The rule stipulates that a players’ Agent or club Owner should not hold FA top seat.
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This led to Iloenyosi standing for the election as a sole candidate but did not amass the required votes from the delegates that cast their votes.
He insisted that being the only candidate without any opposing candidate in the election requires him to preside over football matters in the state.
With the NFF Appeals Committee unable to untie the nuts, Anambra FA remained without a substantive chairman since then with the Vice Chairman, Victor Aniekwena presiding in an Acting capacity.
On July 28, 2022, NFF confirmed Iloenyosi as the duly elected chairman of Anambra FA in a letter addressed to the then Secretary, Chijioke Onyedika.
The letter made it clear that Iloenyosi’s tenure started on July 28, 2022.
The dark-hued former central defender immediately assumed office with the former secretary officially handing over to him on August 11.
The 15-cap Super Eagles defender who was also part of the Nigeria U23 squad to the Sydney Olympic Games in Australia in 2000, told Completesports.com that what NFF did was a confirmation of his electoral victory, which he pointed out, was without blemish.
The former Udoji United and Iwuanyanwu Nationale defender clarified insinuation by the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria, PFAN, that he was ‘appointed’.
“This is sheer ignorance,” Iloenyosi, who is called ‘General’ said.
“Anybody saying I was not duly elected does not understand football statues.
“I make bold to say that my election followed due process.
“Yes, there were ups and downs during the election process but at the end of the day, I won following due process in accordance with what the laws governing football say.
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“My recognition by the NFF was not in any way illegal and I challenge whoever feels otherwise to come up with his facts”.
Iloenyosi says he is focused on the enormous task of re-engineering football in Anambra State and as such cannot be distracted.
“It’s time for work. It’s time to face the job I’m elected to do and everyone is welcome on board because the time of politics is over,” he reiterated.
“The train has left the station, so those raising eyebrows over my eventual emergence don’t seem to mean well for football in the State.”
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