Despite allegations and counter allegations by aggrieved contestants, Nigeria’s Sports Federations elections held in Abuja on Tuesday have produced winners.
While some of the winners were predictable long before Tuesday’s poll, there were some elements of surprise elsewhere while some returned unopposed.
In Nigeria Wrestling Federation Presidency elections, the incumbent, Daniel Igali, secured a fresh four-year term as he pulled 34 votes to beat his challenger, Austin Edeze, who garnered 16.
After his victory, Igali thanked everyone who supported his cause, and promised to build on the gains recorded during his first term in office.
“To God be the glory. Thanks to the Minister of Sports for gradually democratizing the sports federation elections,” he said.
"My immense gratitude to the electorate for a wise decision. To my Governor Seriake Dickson, thank you for your financial and moral support to see out this highly competitive and national elections and more importantly for being a pillar of support for the past four years. I look forward to your support to reposition Nigeria Wrestling for the next four years.”
Elsewhere, Hassan Haruna emerged president of the Darts Federation, while Badminton is now to be headed by Oby Frank.
The bid by Dauda Yusuf to return as president of the Handball Federation met a setback as he was defeated by Sam Ocheno.
Table Tennis also has a new president in Tikon Ishiaku.
Senator Abdul Ningi emerged president of Nigerian Hockey Federation, while Festus Porbeni returned unopposed as president of the Rowing, Sailing and Canoeing Federation.
Nasarawa state deputy governor, Silas Agara, was voted in as the new president of Karate federation of Nigeria, while Dayo Akindoju emerged as president Tennis federation of Nigeria.
Yahaya Ukwenya, chairman of Kaduna State Cricket Association, emerged the new Nigerian Cricket Federation president.
With the intrigues and allegations of foul play that characterised Tuesday’s poll, many expect series of appeals and litigation to follow suit.
PT