Ex-Eagle Udeze Slams Martins' Seyi Tinubu NFF Presidency Endorsement

Former Super Eagles player Ifeanyi Udeze has voiced strong opposition to the proposition made by his erstwhile national squad colleague, Obafemi Martins, regarding Seyi Tinubu's suitability as a prospective president for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Seyi Tinubu, aged 40, is notably the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria.

During an appearance on "The Obi One Podcast," hosted by John Obi Mikel, Martins put forward the view that Nigerian football governance needs an adept young individual who grasps the intricacies of the system and the desires of supporters. Martins stated, "We just need someone that can help—a young person that understands the game and the system. I think Seyi Tinubu can do that too. He’s young and understands what Nigerian people want. He can change that if he wants to."

On Tuesday, September 1, Udeze conveyed his complete disapproval of Martins' evaluation while featuring on a sports program aired on Brila FM. "For me, it’s a bad idea," Udeze declared. "I don’t know what made Martins make such a statement—maybe because he’s a friend to Seyi Tinubu—but like I said, I don’t buy the idea."

He further elaborated, "If Martins claims we need young people to come and run our football, there are other young people." Udeze then suggested, "I was thinking he would mention a young person like Seyi Olofinjana. I was surprised with his choice, so for me, Obafemi Martins is on his own."

Martins' remarks surface during a period of significant structural shifts within Nigerian football, subsequent to the recent departures of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and several other executive council members. These resignations were prompted by the poor showings of Nigeria's national teams in various international qualifying matches and competitions, which led President Tinubu to mandate a thorough restructuring of the nation's football governing body.