Nigeria Content Online

Former Sports Minister, Sani Ndanusa alongside other candidates
that emerged victorious in the Nigerian Olympics Committee election, which was
annulled polls by the International Olympic Committee last week, all won the
fresh polls conducted yesterday.

While many expected a stiffer contest for positions into the
executive board of the NOC, it was not the case as most of the candidates threw
in the towel minutes before the election.

Habu Gumel, the man at the middle of the controversy, shocked
everyone present when he announced that he had pulled out of the race and was
ready to co-operate with his opponent, Ndanusa.

Before now, both men had been trying to outwit each other and
gain the reins of power in the Committee.

While the Gumel board had earlier disqualified Ndanusa on allegations
of “forged documents”, Gumel was also believed to have been forced out from the
volleyball federation where he was the president by Ndanusa.

No victor, no vanquish

However, while speaking on his victory, Ndanusa said he has no
grudge against anyone and that he is ready to work with any one that is wants
to help the Olympics family move forward.

“This not the time to start trading words on who is right or
wrong. I am happy for this opportunity given to me to serve as the president of
the NOC. I hope to bring about more improvement in the fortunes of the body and
move sports forward” he said. “What I see is a team, a team that is ready to
put the events of the past behind us and work harmoniously and assiduously for
the common good of sports in our country.”

Apart from Ndanusa, other members of the new executive board
include Jonathan Nnaji, who returned as the 1st Vice President, while Solomon
Ogba was returned unopposed as the 2nd Vice President and Tijani Umar as the
3rd Vice president.

Tunde Popola emerged as the Secretary General amassing 20 votes
to defeat the incumbent Banji Oladapo who had 10 votes while John Hamakim
emerged as Deputy Secretary-General after his opponent, Uche Nebedum withdrew.

Bappa Aliyu and Tony Ubani completed the list of the newly
elected board as they were voted in as the treasurer and public relations
officer respectively.

Mustpaha Berraf, the IOC representative, who supervised the elections, urged
the participants to work together for the development of sports in the country