Basketball
NBBF Elections: NSC Issues Major Policy Ruling, Halting Musa Kida’s Third-Term Bid
By Chinedum Ohanusi
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has fired a decisive and devastating salvo that has all but ended the schemings by incumbent President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engr. Musa Ahmadu Kida for a tenure elongation, and an unprecedented 3rd term for those serving in the current board.
The directive by the NSC, as widely circulated in virtually all known media outlets in the country, firmly shut the doors, against speculations of an attempt by some members of the highly divided NBBF Board, to circumvent the letter and spirit of their own constitution, which was recently fortified, in an effort to have divergent interests and stakeholders, on one page.
In a formal letter addressed to the NBBF President, Engr. Kida, the NSC made its stance unequivocally clear, by stating that “no federation president or member of a board, can seek a third term in office”.
The same letter added that, “and for the avoidance of doubt, the next NBBF elections are locked in for January 2026—not a day later”.
With that, the Commission, which apparently acted on a similar guideline released by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has effectively closed the chapter, on any further talk of a tenure extension, or manoeuvres for an unprecedented 3rd term, for a President of the NBBF.
According to insider sources, the NSC hierarchy we understand moved quickly to silence swelling uncertainty over the federation’s electoral timetable and growing rumours that Engr. Kida who was first elected in 2017 and now in the wee weeks of his second four-year tenure, was considering stretching his stay beyond constitutional limits.
Sports Day has it on good authority that some power blocs had floated an alternative expiration date of October 2026, pointing to the August 5th inauguration by the then Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare, in Abuja.
But the NSC also shot that one down, by asserting that the board’s legitimacy traces back to the January 31, 2022 election in Benin City, conducted under strict FIBA supervision, and the elected officers sworn-in immediately after.
Although, Engr Kida who also assumed duties, as non-executive chairman of the NNPC Limited has not openly said he is seeking a third term in office, his body language, and unwillingness to ingite the process for the elections, which should hold in two months time.
Vice President of the NBBF, Babatunde Ogunade, who Chaired the panel that reviewed the constitution of the body, with a view to reunite the factions, has on many occasions stated that the constitution doesn’t have a place for third term and that, he was certain that Engr. Kida is not seeking an extension to his stay as the NBBF boss.
But speaking with sports journalists in Abuja, not long ago, after an event at the National Institute for Sports, the Borno-born administrator, whose popularity has fallen to an all-time low, refused to categorically deny his “inordinate ambition”, as some stakeholders have called it.
With this directive, the basketball community in Nigeria waits to see one thing—whether the NBBF will toe the constitutional line or test the resolve of the country’s highest sports authority, the NSC. Either way, the countdown to 2026 has officially begun.
Basketball
Respect NBBF Constitution, Install New Board to Revive Basketball — Stakeholders
Joel Ajayi
Fresh concerns have emerged over alleged procedural breaches in the leadership of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), as seven members of the outgoing board insist that constitutional processes must be strictly followed to grow thw game and prevent a deepening crisis in Nigerian basketball.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the board members declared that the tenure of the current board officially expired on January 31, 2026, and maintained that no member approved any extension beyond that date.
They called for the immediate activation of constitutional provisions to convene an elective congress that will usher in a new and inclusive board.
The stakeholders in attendance included International Representative Col. Sam Ahmadu (Rtd); Prof. Florence Adeyanju (NAWIS representative); Olumide Bamiduro (representing NAPHERD SD, replacing Yakashai who resigned to join the Boxing Federation); North-East Representative Adamu Deshi; Technical Representative Scot Nnaji; South-West Representative Olumide Oyedeji; and Suraj Yusuf representing the North-West.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Col. Ahmadu said the briefing was necessary to address what he described as widespread misinformation surrounding the federation’s leadership status.
“We decided to hold this press briefing because there is so much information out there — some factual and some concocted,” he said. “This is not a campaign for anyone but an effort by members of the outgoing board to set the record straight.”
He explained that the NBBF constitution clearly provides that a board’s tenure begins immediately after members are sworn in following an elective congress. Since the last election was conducted on January 31, 2022, in Edo State, he argued that the four-year tenure ended on January 31, 2026.
According to him, there is no constitutional requirement for any additional inauguration by a supervising authority to validate the commencement of tenure.
“Inauguration does not override the Constitution as the determinant of tenure commencement,” Ahmadu stated.
He further disclosed that the minutes and communiqué of the 2022 elective congress were duly transmitted to FIBA and the Federal Ministry of Sports, describing the records as incontrovertible.
Beyond the tenure issue, the stakeholders raised serious governance concerns.
Col Ahmadu alleged that since 2022, Congress — recognised by the constitution as the supreme authority of the federation — has not been convened as required.
He stated that Congress is mandated to meet at least once annually, yet no such meetings have taken place within that period. He added that the last board meeting was held in 2024.
The group also pointed to what they described as administrative lapses, including the alleged absence of an official federation bank account and claims of conflict of interest linked to a kit sponsorship arrangement involving the former president and the head of the marketing committee.
Additionally, they alleged that two board members — Technical Representative Scot Nnaji and Players’ Representative Stanley Gumut — were removed from the board under questionable circumstances.
They further questioned the increasing reliance on the Emergency Committee, stressing that the constitution does not empower it to replace the Board.
According to them, any decisions taken by the Emergency Committee must be ratified by the full Board which, they claim, has not met in over a year.
The stakeholders insisted that strict obedience to the NBBF statutes and the immediate constitution of a new board would “wipe the tears of basketball” and restore confidence among players, officials, sponsors, and stakeholders.
They urged relevant authorities to act swiftly to convene an elective congress and ensure a transparent process open to all qualified aspirants, warning that failure to follow constitutional procedures could further destabilise the sport.
However, the unfolding situation reflects mounting pressure within the basketball community for reforms anchored on transparency, inclusiveness, and strict respect for constitutional order to safeguard the future of Nigerian basketball
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