Former D’Tigers’ captain, Olumide Oyedeji, has petitioned the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Electoral Appeals Committee to nullify the federation’s recent board elections and order a fresh poll over alleged constitutional breaches and electoral irregularities.

In an appeal addressed to the committee chaired by lawyer Emmanuel Okibe, Oyedeji challenged his initial exclusion from the list of candidates, the expulsion of eight board members, delegate accreditation and the emergence of Mustapha Abdullahi as NBBF president.

Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, won the presidency with 40 votes, defeating Oyedeji, who secured eight votes, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Oyedeji argued that his initial exclusion from the South-West representative contest disadvantaged him despite meeting the requirements. He also questioned his eventual inclusion, alleging that the process violated the NBBF constitution and electoral guidelines.

He described the expulsion of eight board members under the Musa Kida-led administration as unconstitutional, arguing that their removal prevented duly elected members from participating in the Extraordinary Congress and Elective Congress.

The former captain also raised concerns about the removal of state basketball association Chairmen, the accreditation of allegedly ineligible delegates and the emergence of Babatunde Ogunade as South-West representative.

The dispute follows an earlier petition by Mark, Oyedeji and Ugboaja asking President Bola Tinubu to direct the National Sports Commission (NSC) to halt the election and investigate alleged breaches. They claimed that more than 15 state association chairmen and representatives were removed and replaced shortly before the poll.

The election proceeded despite protests and a pending Federal High Court case in Abuja challenging the legality of the electoral process. The court adjourned the suit, filed by former D’Tigers coach Ayodele Bakare, until 3 November.

Oyedeji said his appeal was about protecting the federation’s constitution and restoring confidence in basketball administration, rather than personal ambition.

After the election, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko urged stakeholders to unite, saying, “Today is the day to show that we are for basketball. Whatever it is, let’s put the ball to a stop here and see how we can move forward together as one family.” (Daily Trust)