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Olumide Oyedeji says he was almost kept off the ballot, and he is not letting it go. The former D’Tigers captain has rejected the outcome of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Elective Congress in Abuja, insisting the process was a “selection” and promising to seek justice.
Oyedeji, who contested for the presidency and a South-West representative position at the congress held on Thursday at the ICC Centre, said his name was initially left off the list of candidates and was added only after he protested on the floor.
“I am not saying there was no election, but there was a selection,” he said in an interview. “Everything I said before the election played out. You can go back and review my statements before the election. Everything I predicted happened.”
He said his name was excluded from the South-West list while those of other aspirants, including Mustapha and Ugo, were included. He also claimed that some presidential aspirants and candidates from other zones, including the North-Central, faced similar omissions.
Oyedeji said he had to challenge the omission at the last minute before he was placed on the ballot. Though he acknowledged his eventual defeat, he insisted the result had been decided in advance.
“Yes, I eventually lost, but I believe the outcome had already been predetermined,” he added.
The President of the Nigerian Olympians Association and Chairman of the Nigerian Athletes Commission warned that letting such irregularities go unchallenged could have wider consequences for sports administration in Nigeria. He stressed that the issue goes beyond his personal ambition.
“If this could happen to me, it could happen to many other Nigerian athletes, former internationals and people who do not have a strong voice,” he said.
Oyedeji said his main concern was not winning but ensuring that due procedure was followed.
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“All I wanted was justice. If I lose, I lose. I do not have to win. But the process must be fair, transparent and properly conducted. The right procedures must be followed, and the outcome must be declared with integrity,” he stated.
He added: “However, this will certainly not end here. I am determined to seek justice, and I will continue to pursue it. This is not integrity.”
Experience in administration
Beyond the election dispute, Oyedeji defended the value of experience and professional competence in sports administration, arguing that former athletes can contribute significantly to sports development when equipped with management skills.
He cited his roles as President of the Nigerian Olympians Association, Chairman of the Nigerian Athletes Commission and former Vice-President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee. He also referred to his involvement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission, the World Anti-Doping Agency and the FIBA Players’ Commission.
According to him, an athlete’s field experience, combined with administrative knowledge and professional exposure, can improve decision-making and strengthen governance.
“Being a former sportsperson does not automatically make you a good administrator. You must have the necessary knowledge and skills,” he said.
Oyedeji maintained that his own record demonstrates his capacity to contribute to the growth of Nigerian sports, insisting that the projects and responsibilities he has handled have been progressive.
His comments add to the debate over the conduct of the NBBF elections, with the former international insisting that fairness, transparency and due process must remain central to the leadership of Nigerian basketball.
