NBBF Aspirants Petition Tinubu, Demand Suspension of Elections

Posted : 14 October 2026

Three presidential aspirants in the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to halt the federation’s 2026–2030 board elections over alleged irregularities in the electoral process.

Olumide Oyedeji, Igoche Mark and Ejike Ugboaja urged the Federal Government to direct the National Sports Commission (NSC) to suspend the exercise and investigate their complaints before the polls proceed.

In a petition, the aspirants accused outgoing NBBF President Ahmadu Musa Kida of allegedly manipulating the composition of the incoming board to favour Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria.

The allegations centre on the reported removal and replacement of state basketball association chairmen and delegates shortly before the federation’s Extraordinary and Elective Congresses.

The petitioners claimed that more than 15 legitimate state representatives had been replaced with individuals they considered unqualified, raising concerns about the credibility of the electorate.

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

The aspirants further alleged 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 could undermine confidence in the elections and violate provisions of the NBBF Constitution.

The petition also accused the Electoral Committee of excluding some aspirants from positions they had applied to contest, further deepening concerns over the conduct of the polls.

Beyond the alleged electoral irregularities, the candidates questioned Abdullahi’s eligibility to combine his responsibilities as head of a Federal Government agency with the NBBF presidency.

They cited the Nigeria Public Service Rules, arguing that restrictions on outside engagements by full-time public servants warranted scrutiny of his eligibility.

According to the aspirants, leading the federation requires considerable time and administrative commitment, making it necessary to establish whether the position is compatible with Abdullahi’s current public office.

The petition was also copied to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume.

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

The three aspirants maintained that the NSC should investigate the allegations before the election proceeds, warning that unresolved grievances could compromise the credibility of the outcome and deepen divisions within Nigerian basketball.

The dispute now places the sports commission at the centre of the controversy, with its response likely to shape the next steps in the federation’s leadership transition.

The allegations remain claims by the petitioners, and responses from the NBBF leadership, the Electoral Committee and the other parties concerned were not included in the petition details provided.

NBBF Aspirants Petition Tinubu, Demand Suspension of Elections

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