MOST of Nigeria’s sports federations have held elections into their boards to usher in new tenures.
The previous boards were dissolved by sports minister Sunday Dare following the expiration of their mandates just before the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in July.
However, not all the federation elections went ahead as a court injunction held up badminton, and basketball still has to clear some issues pertaining to its constitution.Still, 22 federations held their elections successfully, according to the sports ministry.
The ministry released the official results on Friday night, signed by the Chairman of the electoral committee Peter Nelson and secretary of the committee Umar Abdulkareem.
In the Handball Federation of Nigeria, Sam Ochebo retained his position as President, narrowly beating Jubrin Saidu Orji 7-6, while Aminu Bala defeated Otunba Sylvester 8-5 in the vice-presidential race.
In Rugby, Dr Ademola Are and Abubakar Aliyu were elected president and vice-president unopposed with each getting all 10 votes.
Otunba Segun Runsewe returned as golf president unopposed, while Air Commodore James Solomon beat Bello Suleiman 10-1 in the election for vice-president.
Karate, weightlifting and wrestling all had their presidents and vice-presidents elected without opposition.
Silas Agara Ali and Dr Bello Omololu emerged as president and vice-president for Karate, Dr Ibrahim Abdu Aladi and Emeka Nwankwo for weightlifting, as well as Daniel Igali and Christopher Amkpila for wrestling.
Sani Kutugi and Nkom Samuel were elected hockey president and vice-president, while Muhammad Usman and Yinka Samuel got the chess federation mandate.
Prince Kelvin Ehizogie and Dr Musa Oshodi won the gymnastics and judo presidential elections respectively, while Olomo Agbadabina and Dayo Akindoju won the traditional sports and tennis elections.
In other major federation results, Alhaji Saidu Baba (taekwondo), Uyi Akpata (cricket), Bode Oyerinde (squash), Olabatoke Aka (scrabble), General K Minimah (boxing) and Wilson Okon (kick boxing) emerged as presidents.
Mrs Rita Ayoku won the presidential election for the darts federation, just as Adewunmi Adekunle (wushu king fu), Alhaji Abubakar Galadima (fives) and Alhaji Suleiman Dagbo (deaf sports) clinched their presidential races.
