Abiodun Jimoh
4 November 2009
Lagos — Speculation about the Sports Minister, Sani Ndanusa's aspiration to run for the President of the Nigerian Olympic Commission (NOC) became clear yesterday when he picked the election form at the Commission secratriat in Lagos.
Ndanusa, who quietly breezed into the secretariat in the early hours of yesterday, collected the form ahead of the deadline billed for Friday November 6.
Ndanusa's collection of the nomination form confirmed reports that he was interested in seeking the NOC's presidency.
Earlier on, Ndanusa was said to have lost interest in the topmost position of the commission having been the 3rd Vice President on two occasions. But this latest development put paid to the speculations as he is expected to contest for the NOC President in the elections scheduled to hold in Dutse, Jigawa on December 9.
According to the NOC spokesman, Tony Nezianya, many other candidates beside the sports minister have picked forms ahead of the Friday deadline.
Speaking further, Nezianya said that he cannot disclose the names or tell the actual number of candidates that have collected forms, but all the figures would be collated and make public on Friday.
"I am aware that Minister of Sports, Engineer Sani Ndanusa picked his own form today (Tuesday) at the secretariat as well as many others who had done that before him, but by Friday everything will become clear and all the contenstants will be well known by that period. All I know is that the election is holding in December 9 at Dutse, capital of Jigawa State," he declared.
"As at now, I cannot give the specific numbers of candidates that collected their forms for various position due to the fact that some of them who had collected may not return it before the deadline. So this will only be accountable by Friday being the last date for submission of forms," he said.
The incumbent NOC President Engr Habu Gumel, who was elected a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last month in Copenhagen, is believed to be aspiring for the position once again having led the Commission for two terms in which the Minister served as 3rd Vice President.
Patrick Ekeji, the NSC Director-General, had in July in Abuja told presidents and secretaries of sports federations that the minister intended to vie for the office of the NOC President.
Ekeji's meeting with the sports federations in Abuja took place on the sidelines of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).
There was a mild drama at the NOC Secretariat on Monday when officials of the NTF led by the Secretary came to collect the nomination form on Ndanusa's behalf but they were refused.
They were informed that the election guidelines stipulated that candidates must collect the forms themselves.
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