‘It’s a Bad Idea’ – Former Super Eagles defender Ifeanyi Udeze rejects Obafemi Martins’ choice of Seyi Tinubu as NFF President

Former Super Eagles defender Ifeanyi Udeze has strongly rejected his former national teammate Obafemi Martins’ suggestion of Seyi Tinubu as a potential president for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Seyi Tinubu, 40, is the son of Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking as a guest on John Obi Mikel’s The Obi One Podcast, Martins argued that the administration of Nigerian football requires a capable young leader who understands the system and the aspirations of fans.

“We just need someone that can help—a young person that understands the game and the system,” Martins said. 

“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.”

Reacting to the endorsement on Tuesday, September 1,  during a sports broadcast on Brila FM, Udeze expressed total disagreement with Martins’ assessment.

“For me, it’s a bad idea,” Udeze stated. “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.””If Martins claims we need young people to come and run our football, there are other young people,” Udeze added.

“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’ comments come amid structural changes in Nigerian football, following the recent resignations of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and other executive members.

The resignations followed disappointing performances by Nigeria’s national teams in major international qualifiers and tournaments, prompting President Tinubu to order a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s football administration.