NBBF Poll - Fresh Tension as Stakeholders Question State Congress Changes

By Mishael Emmanuel 

 

The race for the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) presidency has taken a contentious turn, with concerns mounting over alleged attempts to reshape the federation’s voting structure before the 2026 elections.

The latest controversy centres on the leadership of State Basketball Associations, with some stakeholders claiming that changes in the leadership of associations could ultimately influence who represents various states at the NBBF Elective Congress.

The development has triggered questions within basketball circles about whether the forthcoming election will be determined strictly by the existing basketball stakeholders or influenced by political and administrative interests.

The NBBF is yet to announce the date of its Extra-Ordinary General Assembly or publish the official electoral guidelines and timetable for the 2026–2030 board elections.

However, stakeholders allege that lobbying has already begun, with claims that a Director-General of a federal government agency is being positioned for the presidency.

The unnamed official, who reportedly assumed leadership of his State Basketball Association only about a year ago, is alleged to have contacted State Directors of Sports and political authorities in an attempt to influence the leadership of some state associations.

The allegations have raised eyebrows because state association chairmen form an important part of the structure through which grassroots basketball interests are represented at the national level.

FIBA-certified statistician and basketball stakeholder Biola Shomala was particularly critical of what he described as an attempt to elevate an individual without sufficient experience in basketball administration.

Shomala questioned why established association leaders should be removed or replaced simply because they may not support a particular candidate.

He said the situation could create a dangerous precedent if money, political connections or government influence become more important than experience and contributions to the sport.

The basketball stakeholder also took aim at the alleged involvement of outgoing NBBF president Musa Kida in the emergence of a preferred successor.

He questioned why an outgoing federation president would allegedly be interested in determining who succeeds him rather than allowing delegates to make their own choice at the polls.

Beyond the domestic contest, stakeholders also alleged that efforts are being made to promote the unnamed aspirant outside Nigeria, including claims that he has been introduced to sections of the basketball community in Germany as Nigeria's incoming basketball federation president.

That claim has generated further concern because the NBBF election has not yet taken place.

The stakeholders also raised allegations relating to the individual's previous dealings with the EFCC. Those allegations remain unverified and have not been independently established.

Attention has also shifted to developments in Taraba and Imo, where changes in the leadership of the respective State Basketball Associations have become subjects of discussion among stakeholders.

In Taraba, stakeholders referenced an open letter reportedly written by the former association chairman to Kida concerning the federation's leadership and alleged tenure-extension plans.

In Imo, questions have similarly been raised over the circumstances surrounding the emergence of a new association chairman, with stakeholders alleging links between the appointee and an individual within the NBBF structure.

For critics, the timing of these developments is the major issue.

They argue that changes to state association leadership shortly before an NBBF election could have consequences beyond the states themselves, particularly if newly installed officials become delegates to the national congress.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) and Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) are therefore being urged to pay close attention to the electoral process and ensure that the identities of legitimate delegates are not altered for political convenience.

The controversy comes with the tenure of the present NBBF board reportedly scheduled to run until October 16, 2026.

With the election window approaching, pressure is now building on the federation and relevant sports authorities to release the electoral roadmap and provide clarity on the composition of the congress.

Nigeria remains one of Africa's leading basketball nations, with the D'Tigress continuing to strengthen the country's reputation internationally. But stakeholders fear that administrative disputes could overshadow the progress being made on the court.

The emerging battle is therefore no longer simply about who will occupy the NBBF presidential seat.

It is also about who controls the electoral machinery that will decide the occupant.

And as the countdown to the election continues, stakeholders are demanding one thing: that the next NBBF president should emerge from the votes of recognised basketball delegates, rather than from decisions allegedly taken outside the congress.