Former Green Eagles captain, Chief Segun Odegbami has blamed the Nigeria Football Federation, his rival Dr Orji Uzor Kalu and former member of the FIFA Executive Committee, Dr Amos Adamu for being the architects of his failed bid to become the next president of the world football governing body.
The 63-year-old former international was unable to win the required backing of five member associations.
Odegbami said Nigeria’s Football Federation offered him its support too late to meet Monday’s deadline.
“The NFF only sent their nomination letter to Fifa (on Monday afternoon). What was I supposed to do with that?” Odegbami told BBC Sport.
“That was their reaction to my letter sent to them two months ago. It is preposterous.”
Odegbami also believes that his outspoken criticism of long-standing Confederation of African Football president Issa Hayatou may have counted against him.
“Of course there are local politics within the Nigerian and African football system that pitches some of us against the established system,” he said.
“I have been one of the most virulent critics of the perpetuity in office of Issa Hayatou in office and I knew I was not one of his best friends.”
Odegbami has also blamed ex-FIFA executive committee member Amos Adamu and rival Orji Uzor Kalu for his failure not to get the backing of other African countries in his quest to be elected new FIFA boss.
“Where were Amos Adamu and (Orji) Kalu yesterday (Monday)? It’s a Nigerian thing to bring down others,” accused a sobered Odegbami on a radio interview monitored in Abuja Tuesday morning.
“Well, I have done my own bit and it is left for others to do theirs.”
