NBBF Election: Oyedeji challenges Abdullahi’s emergence, demands fresh poll

Former D’Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji has asked the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Electoral Appeals Committee to nullify the federation’s recently concluded board elections and order a fresh exercise over alleged constitutional violations and electoral irregularities.

In an appeal addressed to the committee, chaired by lawyer Emmanuel Okibe, Mr Oyedeji challenged aspects of the electoral process, including his initial exclusion from the list of candidates, the expulsion of eight board members, and the accreditation of delegates.

He also questioned the emergence of Mustapha Abdullahi as NBBF president and Babatunde Ogunade as the South-West representative, alleging that irregularities affected the process through which they secured their positions.

Mr Oyedeji said his appeal was not merely about the election outcome or his personal ambition, but about protecting the federation’s constitution and the integrity of basketball administration in Nigeria.

Disputed election

Mr Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, won the presidency with 40 votes, defeating Mr Oyedeji, who received eight votes, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Former Nigerian international Ejike Ugboaja received no votes. Meanwhile, another presidential aspirant, Igoche Mark, withdrew from the contest a day before the election, citing concerns about the process’s credibility.

Mr Ugboaja also walked out after voting began, alleging that the election had been hijacked in favour of Mr Abdullahi.

The election proceeded despite protests by some aspirants and a pending court case challenging the legality of the federation’s electoral process.

In his latest appeal, Mr Oyedeji said his initial exclusion from the list of candidates for the South-West representative position disadvantaged him, despite meeting the requirements.

He argued that his eventual inclusion, after the electoral committee led by Lanre Glover widely publicised his exclusion, violated the NBBF constitution and electoral guidelines.

Expulsion of board members

Mr Oyedeji also challenged the Musa Kida-led NBBF board’s expulsion of eight board members, describing the decision as unconstitutional.

He argued that their removal prevented duly elected members from participating in the processes leading to the Extraordinary Congress and Elective Congress, thereby undermining the legitimacy of the proceedings.

The former captain further alleged that the former NBBF president and secretary circumvented the electoral process.

He also raised concerns about the removal of state basketball association chairmen and the accreditation of individuals he said did not satisfy the eligibility requirements under the federation’s constitution.

The allegations form part of broader complaints about the election. In a petition dated 12 October, Mr Mark, Mr Oyedeji and Mr Ugboaja had asked President Bola Tinubu to direct the National Sports Commission (NSC) to halt the exercise and investigate alleged breaches of the NBBF constitution.

They alleged that the National Sports Commission (NSC) removed and replaced more than 15 chairmen and representatives of state basketball associations shortly before the election.

The allegations have not been independently established. Mr Kida and Mr Abdullahi did not respond to the claims in the earlier petition.

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Court case and calls for unity

The election also proceeded while a Federal High Court in Abuja was considering a suit challenging the legality of the NBBF elective congress. The court adjourned the case until 3 November.

The suit was filed by former D’Tigers coach Ayodele Bakare against the NBBF and the NSC. Mr Bakare, who was disqualified from contesting the presidency after submitting his nomination forms after the deadline, is challenging the validity of the Extraordinary Congress held in Yola, Adamawa State.

The election was also held against the backdrop of a directive from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) that the NBBF conclude its board election by 15 October.

NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko had urged candidates and basketball officials to put their differences aside after the election and work together to advance the sport.

“Today is the day to show that we are for basketball. Whatever it is, let’s put the ball to a stop here and see how we can move forward together as one family,” Mr Dikko said.

Mr Oyedeji is seeking to nullify the election and hold a fresh poll, arguing that the allegations must be addressed to protect the NBBF constitution and restore confidence in the federation’s electoral process.