NBBF election: Govs youth advisers justify state reps’ change

Say Tinubu should not be dragged in

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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri

The Forum of SA/SSA Youth to Governors of Nigeria has defended the recent changes in the representation of some states in basketball associations, saying it is within the legitimate powers of state governments.

The forum, in a statement on Thursday, said the action was part of normal administrative repositioning aimed at improving performance and repositioning sports development at the state level.

The statement was jointly signed by the Chairman of the Forum, Hon Eric Uwakwe, who is the Special Assistant on Youth to the Imo State Governor, and the Secretary, Hon Hauwa Hassan Musa, Special Assistant on Youth to the Governor of Bauchi State.

The forum argued that some representatives have held their positions for over eight years, approaching a decade, and that it was reasonable for state governments to seek fresh ideas and more committed leadership.

It warned that lawful decisions taken by state governments should not be interpreted as electoral manipulation or linked to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or any aspirant for the presidency of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF.

“State governments have the right to assess their representatives and make changes whenever they consider it necessary in the interest of improved performance and sports development,” the forum said.

It added: “The President should not be unnecessarily drawn into decisions lawfully taken by state governments within their respective powers. If anyone has a grievance concerning a state’s decision to change its representative, the appropriate channel is to seek clarification or redress from the state government concerned.”

The forum urged stakeholders to allow the NBBF electoral process to proceed in line with established rules, without sensationalism, and to focus on reforms that will grow basketball in Nigeria.