Oyedeji Challenges NBBF Election Results as Bakare Seeks Fresh Polls

Posted : 20 October 2026

The leadership crisis surrounding the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has continued following the election of Mustapha Abdullahi as the federation’s new president. Former D’Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji has rejected the outcome of the polls and appealed to the Electoral Appeals Committee to nullify the exercise and order a fresh election.

The NBBF held its elective congress on Thursday, October 15, 2026, under the supervision of the National Sports Commission (NSC). Abdullahi, Director General of the National Energy Commission, emerged as the new president, but the outcome has faced objections from some stakeholders.

Oyedeji’s appeal was addressed to the Electoral Appeals Committee chaired by Emmanuel Okibe. The former national team captain alleged that constitutional violations and procedural irregularities undermined the credibility of the election.

He said his challenge was not simply about the results or his candidacy. He argued that the dispute concerned the protection of the NBBF constitution, the integrity of future elections and the need to prevent external interests from influencing the federation’s affairs.

Oyedeji Raises Concerns Over Candidate Screening and Board Expulsions

One of the major issues in Oyedeji’s appeal concerns his initial exclusion from the list of candidates for the position of South-West Representative on the NBBF board. He maintained that he had fulfilled the requirements but was left off the list by the electoral committee led by Dr Lanre Glover.

Oyedeji argued that his eventual inclusion, following a widely publicised protest, placed him at a disadvantage and breached the federation’s constitution and electoral guidelines.

He also challenged the expulsion of eight board members by the Musa Kida-led NBBF administration. According to Oyedeji, their removal was unconstitutional and prevented duly elected members from participating in the processes leading to the Extraordinary Congress and the elective congress.

The former national team captain further questioned the emergence of Mustapha Abdullahi as president and Babatunde Ogunade as South-West Representative. He alleged that electoral irregularities benefited both candidates and accused the former NBBF president and secretary of circumventing established procedures.

Other complaints in his appeal concern the alleged arbitrary removal of state basketball association chairmen and the accreditation of individuals who, he claimed, did not meet the requirements stipulated in the NBBF constitution.

Oyedeji is asking the appeals committee to examine these issues, nullify the election and order a fresh exercise. His allegations have not been established as findings of wrongdoing.

Bakare Pursues Separate Court Challenge

Meanwhile, former national team coach Ayodele Bakare is pursuing a separate legal challenge to the electoral process. He has taken the matter to the Federal High Court in Abuja, arguing that the procedures leading to the election were defective and that the polls should be declared invalid.

Bakare was disqualified from contesting the NBBF presidency after submitting his nomination documents beyond the deadline. However, his court case focuses on the validity of the Extraordinary Congress held in Yola, Adamawa State, which preceded the October 15 election.

He argued that the notice convening the Yola congress did not comply with the NBBF constitution. According to his suit, neither two-thirds of Congress members nor the federation’s board provided the required notice. He also alleged that only 44 of the 50 Congress members received notice of the meeting, potentially denying the remaining members their right to participate.

Bakare had sought an interim order to prevent the election from proceeding while the case was pending. The court declined that request, allowing the October 15 polls to go ahead. However, the decision did not determine the substantive question of whether the disputed congress complied with the federation’s constitution.

The court subsequently fixed November 3, 2026, for the hearing of the case. Bakare has expressed confidence in his legal position and maintains that his objective is to ensure the federation follows its governing rules.

Leadership Uncertainty Continues

The two challenges have added to the uncertainty surrounding the NBBF’s leadership transition. Abdullahi’s election has produced a new president, but the appeals process and pending court case leave important questions about the conduct of the election unresolved.

The appeals committee’s response to Oyedeji’s petition and the court’s eventual decision in Bakare’s case could have implications for the federation’s governance and future electoral procedures.

For Nigerian basketball, the immediate issue is whether the disputed process will stand or whether further action will be required to address the complaints. Until the relevant bodies determine the claims, the allegations remain contested rather than established breaches of the federation’s constitution.

Oyedeji Challenges NBBF Election Results as Bakare Seeks Fresh Polls

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