The caretaker chairman, Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engr. Musa Kida has described the activities of a group, Nigeria Basketball Vanguard, as a ploy to plunge basketball into another round of crisis.
He, however, said as elections into the sport federation draw closer, the 2019 constitution of the NBBF will be followed to the letter.
According to him, the elections will be done in line with the Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) with supervision from the Federal Ministry of Sports and Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC).
It will be noted that members of the Nigeria Basketball Vanguard had said they were not going to participate in any election until a constitution is ratified by the Congress of the NBBF.
“This funny entity is not known to anybody nor is it recognized by the NBBF constitution as ratified by the 2019 Congress held in Abuja. The constitution as ratified by FIBA and domiciled with NOC or FMYSD accorded recognition to Chairmen of the State Associations, Representatives of Coaches, Referees, Players Associations, NAPHER/SD, NAWIS and All Members from the geographical zones (Zonal Reps) alongside the President and Vice President.
“These individuals coming together should tell us who they represent. Is Ajibarede Bello representing coaches or Gbade Olatona representing the players association? All these individuals should tell Nigerians which body they are representing as enshrined in the constitution.
“So, Nigeria Basketball Vanguard should tell Nigerians where they derive their legitimacy to challenge the electoral process. I think these people with ulterior motives are scared of their own shadows,” he said.
Kida, therefore, encouraged interested candidates and credible stakeholders interested in vying for any elective post to go ahead with their plans assuring that the NBBF constitution will protect all and sundry to ensure a smooth electoral process and post-election transition.
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