Ibrahim Gusau, once the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), and ex-Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) leader Sani Ndanusa have both been nominated by those organisations to run against Gumel.

Gumel, an honorary International Olympic Committee member, has led the NOC since 2014 and before that was its President from 2002 to 2010.

Gusau's tenure as AFN President came to an end in 2021.

Ndanusa led the NTF from 2002 to 2017 and remains on its Board.

An elective NOC Congress is scheduled for Jalingo on December 15.

Yesterday was the deadline for nominations for elective roles, including four vice-presidents, secretary general, treasurer, deputy secretary general and public relations officer.

There will be a new secretary general as Olabanji Oladapo is not on the list of candidates published by the Electoral Committee.

Hockey official Tunde Popoola, taekwondo's Jonathan Nnaji, handball representative Toyin Aluko and Samuel Adeyinka of Nigeria Fencing have submitted candidacies for secretary general.

Solomon Ogba is seeking re-election as first vice-president but will be challenged by Francis Orbih, currently the second vice-president.

Table tennis-nominated Ishaku Tikon faces no rivals to become second vice-president.

Nigeria Wrestling Federation President Daniel Igali, a United World Wrestling Bureau member who won an Olympic gold medal at Sydney 2000, representing Canada after seeking refugee status in the country because of political unrest in Nigeria, wants to be third vice-president.

Igali faces three rivals.

There are five candidates for fourth vice-president, three for treasurer and three for public relations officer.