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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Indications of fresh crisis hitting the Nigeria basketball family emerged on Tuesday when concerned former board members of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) demanded for conduct of fresh election into the executive board of the federation.
The stakeholders, comprising Col Sam Ahmedu (Rtd), Prof Florence Adeyanju, Scott Nnaji, Adamu Deshi, Olumide Bamiduro, Suraj Yusuf, and Olumide Oyedeji, made the demand at media parley in Abuja.
Led by Ahmedu, they drew the attention of stakeholders, and the general public to the constitutional status of the NBBF Board, claiming that their tenure had expired January this year.
“Pursuant to the combined effect of Articles 21.8, 23.1, and 23.10 of the NBBF Constitution (2019), which remains the operative legal framework governing the administration of basketball in Nigeria, the tenure of the NBBF Board elected on 31st January 2022 in Benin City, expired January 31, 2026.
“The constitution clearly provides that tenure commences immediately upon election and swearing-in at the venue of the election. The said swearing-in took place January 31, 2022 in Benin City, with 11 out of 14 duly elected members in attendance.
“There is no provision within the Constitution recognising or validating any separate “inauguration” ceremony as the commencement of tenure,” Ahmedu said.
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He also disclosed that the stakeholders have not only written to string-worded petition to the Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) but are waiting for its intervention in restoring sanity to the embattled federation.
“Members of Congress have formally petitioned FIBA, seeking direction to safeguard constitutional order and to allow the NSC and NOC superintend over the matter to prevent allegations of external interference. A response from FIBA is currently being awaited,” they disclosed.
“After January 31, 2026, it is safe to say that constitutionally the tenure of the NBBF Board has expired and moreover no Congress has lawfully extended the tenure and neither was a constitutional mechanism initiated to validated continued occupation of the office.
“Consequently, there is presently no constitutionally recognized NBBF Board in office, and no individual holds a lawful mandate to represent himself as President of the NBBF. Consequently any meeting called by the President of the outgone board is null and void,” it noted.
While complaining further, the stakeholders noted: “Nigeria is governed by law, and its sports federations must operate within established constitutional frameworks. The integrity of Nigerian basketball must not be compromised by unconstitutional tenure elongation or governance irregularities.
“This matter transcends personalities and speaks to institutional integrity, transparency, and accountability. All stakeholders are urged to uphold the Constitution and ensure an orderly, lawful transition in the best interest of Nigerian basketball,” he said.
