South West NJF rep: Gladiators set for rerun election

The two gladiators vying in the election organised to produce a representative of the South-West Zone in the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF) on Monday vowed not to step down, even after five rounds of voting failed to produce a winner.

Both candidates, Bolaji Yusuf and Musa Oshodi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that they would remain in the race and slug it out at a re-run election, rather than let go.

The secretary of the federation, Oludare Davies, told NAN that a re-run election for the south west zonal representative had been fixed for July 12 in Abuja.

“The re-run election for the south west zonal representative will take place on July 12, ahead of the inauguration of the new board on July 13.

“The two candidates recorded three votes each; none of the candidates was able to have a simple majority at the end of five rounds of voting,’’ he said.

Yusuf, a sport administrator, said he was ready for victory in the rerun, as he planned to bring innovations on how the sport would grow spontaneously at all levels.

“I have the wealth of experience in sports and facility management; this would enable me and other elected board members to take the sport to the next level.

“My main focus is grassroots development and taking judo back to school.

“I am not pulling out because I am still very much interested in contesting for the position; I have a lot to offer in the sport.

“The federation needs people with new ideas and passion to give the sport a new lease of life, and I strongly believe I possess that,” he said.

According to him, the last board was characterised with in-fighting among members, which affected the development of the game.

“Judo used to be a top sport in Nigeria, but crisis experienced in the last board is responsible for the poor state of the sport in the country now.

“The fact that I’m not a judoka does not mean I can’t contribute to development of judo.

“I have been into sport management and marketing for the past 25years and my record is there for everyone to see.

“My opponent had been on the board of the federation for 12 years; I think he should give other people a chance to contribute to the development of the game,’’ he said.

His opponent, Oshodi, who was the vice-president and chairman of the technical committee of the last NJF board, however, insists that his experience places him in good stead for the position.