Ministry postpones NBBF elections indefinitely over protracted crisis

The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports development has postponed indefinitely elections into the executive committee of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) scheduled for October 30, 2021 in Benin City, Edo state.

This was disclosed via a press statement issued by the permanent secretary of the ministry Ismaila Abubakar on Monday following the protracted crisis that has bedeviled the federation.

Part of the statement reads, “Having reviewed the crisis around the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and in consideration of the several attempts by the supervising Ministry to resolve the lingering crisis and fractionalization in the Basketball family, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (FMYSD) hereby directs an indefinite suspension of the NBBF Elective Congress scheduled for 30 October, 2021 in Benin City. All concerned stakeholders are expected to take note and comply.

“This decision is necessary to avert further deterioration of the leadership crisis and towards finding a workable solution to the current disagreements within the Federation. The rancour-free development of Basketball in Nigeria is of utmost importance.

“The recent elections into the NBBF Board from the various Constituencies (i.e Zones, NAWIS, Military/Paramilitary, NAPHER.SD, etc) stand and those elected there remain members-elect.”

The decision to postpone the elections didn’t come many stakeholders as a surprise because following the series of complaints against the immediate past NBBF leadership.

For instance, Nigerian basketball players had called for the amendment of the federation’s constitution ahead of the now postponed federation’s elective congress.

They are of the view that the constitution, allegedly designed by the Musa Kida’s faction and has been kept away from other stakeholders, was structured to favour Kida’s ambition to remain in power.

In addition, Igoche Mark, who is vying to represent the North Central Zone on the NBBF board is one of the aspirants who have vehemently kicked against Benin City as venue for the elective congress.

The proprietor of Mark Mentors basketball club told Daily Trust that those opposed to the venue had communicated their concerns to the Sports Ministry.