Habu Ahmed Gumel has retained his position as the President of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) following a tightly contested election battle in Jalingo on Thursday.
The 73-year-old, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 2009, was elected after he edged his main rival Sani Ndanusa, claiming his triumph by just two votes, having received 21 of the 40 votes.
Gumel is currently in his fourth as President of the NOC as he had previously held the role from 2001 to 2010 before being controversially beaten by Ndanusa in an election the IOC initially refused to recognise.
Prior to his relection, Gumel has promised that the body will undergo a speedy reforms if re-elected for another term, stressing that there would be changes to make the NOC more vibrant and alive to the yearnings of the Nigerian stakeholders in sports, including a review of the constitution.
“It is not an easy process but we just have to do it so that more people will join to strengthen the entire system,” he said.
"There will be a review of the constitution and this will also be evaluated by the board after which we will also take it all to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for approval. Each of the commissions have members in different areas like technical, education , etc. but we want to boost them for better operations,'' Gumel assured
The former Volleyball supremo, however returned to the position in 2014 when he defeated Ndanusa by 19 votes to 17 - same margin he used to win in his latest triumph at the 2022 polls.
Babatunde Popoola, meanwhile, regained his position as secretary general from Olabanji Oladapo, who returns to the role after a four-year absence. Popoola won his seat back by 24 votes, pipping his closest rivals Samuel Adeyinka with 11 votes, while Abdullahi Muhammed returned unopposed for the deputy secretary,
Solomon Ogba also retained his position as 1st Vice President, Engineer Ishaku Tikon kept the office of the 2nd Vice President, former D'Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji emerged 3rd Vice President, while Bisi Joseph claimed the 4th Vice President post.
Engineer Musa Kida was elected the Treasurer, and Tony Nezaianya returned to his position as Public Relations Officer, after he edged outgone spokesman Femi Adetula.
