Ndanusa battles to unseat Gumel as NOC elections hold today in Jalingo

Former Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) President, Sani Ndanusa, is among candidates vying for various positions in the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) elections holding in Jalingo, Taraba State, today.

Ndanusa wants to unseat incumbent NOC President, Habu Gumel, who is seeking election for another term. Former Athletics Federation of Nigeria President, Ibrahim Gusau, who earlier indicated interest in the presidency, is not on the ballot.
Forty-two delegates are expected to determine the fate of aspirants.

Apart from those jostling for the presidency, two candidates, Solomon Ogba of the Bobsled and Skeleton Federation and Francis Orbih from the Badminton Federation, are vying for the first Vice President post currently being occupied by Ogba.

Ishaku Tikon of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation is running unopposed for the second Vice Presidency position, but the contest for the third vice president post has four candidates, including Daniel Igali of Wrestling Federation, Bamidele Ayoade from Shooting Federation, Olumide Oyedeji, who is the Athletes Representative on the Committee and Mrs. Maria Wophill of Athletics Federation.

The candidates for the fourth vice president position are Mrs. Hauwa-Kulu Akinyemi of Table Tennis Federation, Air Commodore Rahinatu Garba of Shooting Federation, Mrs. Olabisi Joseph of School Sports Federation, Mrs. Rosaline Collins Okah of Athletics Federation and Ms Nneka Ikem of Curling Federation.

Four people are vying to replace Banji Oladapo as NOC Secretary General.

They include a former occupant of that position, Tunde Popoola of Hockey Federation, Chief Jonathan Nnaji of Taekwondo, Dr. Esther Toyin Aluko of Handball Federation and Samuel Adeyinka of Nigeria Fencing. Incumbent Secretary General, Banji Oladapo, is not vying for re-election, citing personal reasons.

Archery Federation’s Abdullahi Mohammed is the sole candidate for Deputy Secretary General position, while three contestants, including Bappa Aliyu of Modern Pentathlon, Musa Kida of Basketball and Sunday Adeleye of Athletics Federation want to be the Committee’s treasurer.

The Public Relations Officer position has three candidates, including the incumbent PRO, Oluphemmy Adetula of Fencing Federation, Tony Obiora Nezianya of Triathlon and Patrick Ibeh.

The delegates arrived in Jalingo yesterday ahead of the polls billed for today.