NBBF Crisis: Ayodele Bakare Insists Justice Must Come Before Reconciliation

Posted : 31 October 2026

Former Nigeria men's national basketball team coach Ayodele Bakare has insisted that justice must come before reconciliation as the leadership crisis surrounding the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) continues.

Bakare, who is also the president of Comets Basketball Club, believes peace can return to Nigerian basketball sooner than expected. However, he warned that any reconciliation process must address the grievances arising from the federation's 2026 presidential election.

The former D'Tigers coach made his position clear in a statement, expressing confidence that genuine reconciliation remains achievable if stakeholders are willing to confront the issues behind the dispute.

"Will there ever be peace in Nigerian basketball? Will there ever be true reconciliation? Of course there will be! Perhaps even much sooner than you expect," Bakare stated.

He added that achieving lasting peace was among the central objectives of those calling for accountability within the basketball community.

Bakare, however, cautioned against agreements that create an appearance of unity without resolving the underlying disagreements. He argued that overlooking alleged injustices could create further divisions and weaken efforts to rebuild confidence in the federation.

He also warned against what he described as deceptive reconciliation, stressing that temporary arrangements would not provide a lasting solution to the crisis.

The coach commended basketball stakeholders and members of the media for keeping attention on the disputed electoral process. He expressed concern that important national issues often lose public attention before satisfactory answers are provided.

The controversy followed the NBBF presidential election held in Abuja on October 15, 2026.

Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, won the election with 40 votes out of 48 cast. Former D'Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji received eight votes, while former international Ejike Ugboaja failed to secure any votes.

Bakare was disqualified from contesting after the NBBF Electoral Committee ruled that he submitted his nomination documents 12 minutes after the October 8 deadline.

The decision followed the committee's requirement that all nomination documents be submitted by 2:00 p.m. on the final day.

Bakare subsequently challenged the legality of the electoral process in court. His suit, filed against the NBBF and the National Sports Commission, questioned the validity of an earlier extraordinary congress held in Yola, Adamawa State.

Meanwhile, Oyedeji also challenged the election results, alleging irregularities in the electoral process and requesting a fresh exercise.

The NBBF Electoral Appeals Committee subsequently dismissed Oyedeji's petition and upheld the election results, affirming Abdullahi's emergence as president.

However, Bakare's legal challenge remains an important part of the wider dispute. A Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier adjourned proceedings in his case to November 3, 2026.

Abdullahi has pledged to promote grassroots basketball development, improve sporting infrastructure and strengthen domestic competitions during his administration.

With legal questions and disagreements still surrounding the transition, Bakare maintains that genuine unity in Nigerian basketball will depend on transparency, accountability and a fair resolution of outstanding grievances.

NBBF Crisis: Ayodele Bakare Insists Justice Must Come Before Reconciliation

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