NBBF election row deepens as Oyedeji, Mark, Ugboaja seek Tinubu’s intervention …Trio want polls suspended

By Maxwell Kumoye

The battle over the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), elections has escalated, with three presidential aspirants taking their grievances to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over attempts to manipulate the composition of the federation’s incoming board.

Olumide Oyedeji, Igoche Mark and Ejike Ugboaja, who are all contesting the NBBF presidency, want the Federal Government to intervene in the electoral process, stating that the exercise has been compromised ahead of the 2026–2030 tenure.

In a petition dated October 12, the candidates accused outgoing NBBF President Ahmadu Musa Kida of using his position to influence the elections in favour of Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria.

They called on Tinubu to direct the National Sports Commission (NSC) to suspend the process and investigate their complaints before the elections are conducted.

The petition, also copied to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, raises questions about the legitimacy of changes made to state representation ahead of the polls.

A major concern raised by the aspirants is the removal and replacement of state basketball association chairmen and delegates shortly before the Extraordinary and Elective Congresses.

The candidates claimed that more than 15 legitimate state representatives had been removed and replaced with individuals they considered unqualified, to influence voting in the forthcoming elections.

Zamfara, Kaduna, Gombe, Benue, Kwara, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Niger, Edo and Taraba were among the states identified in the petition.

The aspirants further claimed that financial inducements and political influence, including the involvement of some state governors, were used to facilitate the changes.

They argued that altering state representation under such circumstances would undermine confidence in the electoral process and raise concerns about compliance with the NBBF Constitution.

The petition also accused the Electoral Committee of excluding some candidates from positions they had applied to contest, adding another layer to the dispute over the conduct of the elections.

The controversy extends beyond the composition of the electorate, with the petitioners also questioning whether Abdullahi can adequately combine his responsibilities as head of a Federal Government agency with the demands of the NBBF presidency.

They cited the Nigeria Public Service Rules, arguing that restrictions on outside engagements by full-time public servants could raise questions about his eligibility for the basketball position.

According to the candidates, leading the NBBF requires substantial commitment, and Abdullahi’s existing public office warrants scrutiny under the applicable rules.

With the election dispute threatening to overshadow the federation’s leadership transition, the three aspirants want the NSC to investigate their complaints before the polls proceed.

They argued that allowing the election to go ahead without addressing the alleged breaches could compromise the credibility of the outcome and deepen divisions within Nigerian basketball.

Their appeal places the sports commission at the centre of the dispute, as the candidates seek intervention to ensure that the electoral process complies with the federation’s governing rules.

The petition was signed by Mark, who is also seeking the North Central representative position; Oyedeji, who is contesting for the South West representative seat alongside the presidency; and Ugboaja, who is also running for the South East representative position.

The three candidates are asking the Federal Government to ensure that the grievances are investigated and that the election proceeds only under conditions they consider transparent and fair.

Whether the NSC will act on their request, and how the NBBF leadership and Electoral Committee will respond to the allegations, could prove significant to the credibility of the federation’s next board election.