Oyedeji Seeks Nullification of NBBF Elections, Appeals to Committee

Oru Leonard 

Former D’Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji has appealed to the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Election Appeals Committee to nullify the outcome of the 2026 elective congress and order a fresh election, citing alleged constitutional breaches and irregularities.

Oyedeji, who contested for the NBBF presidency, formally lodged his appeal in a letter dated October 16, 2026, addressed to the chairman of the Election Appeals Committee, Emmanuel Okibe, Esq.

In his petition, the former national team captain raised concerns over the conduct of the electoral process, alleging violations of the federation’s constitution, procedural irregularities and actions that, according to him, undermined the credibility of the elections.

One of the major issues highlighted in the appeal was the initial omission of his name from the list of candidates for the position of South-West Representative on the NBBF Board, despite his claim that he had submitted a duly completed nomination form to the Electoral Committee.

Oyedeji argued that the late inclusion of his name during the Elective Congress placed him at a disadvantage and contravened the provisions of the NBBF Constitution and electoral guidelines.

He also challenged the purported expulsion of himself and seven other former board members by the outgoing NBBF president, alleging that the action prevented them from participating in crucial discussions and decisions leading to the elections.

According to Oyedeji, decisions relating to the electoral process were taken by the former president in consultation with only four board members, whom he described as a minority of the board.

He further argued that the subsequent nullification of the expulsion order, just two days before the Extraordinary Congress in Yola, raised questions about the validity of decisions taken in the absence of the affected board members.

The appeal also questioned the legality of the Extraordinary Congress in Yola, with Oyedeji alleging breaches of constitutional provisions governing the notice convening the meeting, the required notice period and the composition of the Electoral and Appeals Committees.

He expressed concern over the inclusion of individuals with whom he had personal relationships in the committees, arguing that such relationships could raise questions about impartiality in the electoral process.

Another major issue in the petition was the alleged arbitrary removal of some state basketball association chairmen and state representatives from the Extraordinary and Elective Congresses shortly before the meetings.

Oyedeji accused the former NBBF president and secretary of involvement in the alleged actions, which he said restricted stakeholder participation in the electoral process.

The former D’Tigers captain also challenged the emergence of Mustapha Abdullahi as NBBF president and Babatunde Ogunade as South-West Representative, arguing that the alleged irregularities affected the credibility of their emergence.

Abdullahi won the presidential election with 40 votes, while Oyedeji polled eight votes and former D’Tigers player Ejike Ugboaja received no votes.

Despite the outcome, Oyedeji is asking the Appeals Committee to cancel the election results and direct that the entire electoral process be conducted afresh.

The petition now places the dispute before the Election Appeals Committee, whose consideration of the issues raised could have implications for the administration of Nigerian basketball and confidence in the federation’s electoral procedures.

The allegations contained in Oyedeji’s appeal are yet to be determined by the committee.

Credit: Maxwell Kumoye, Nigeria Basketball Network, October 19, 2026