…Kida re-elected in Benin City, Igoche Mark in Abuja
The crisis rocking the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has refused to abate as two factional presidents were elected yesterday at parallel elective congresses in Benin City, Edo State and Abuja.
It will be recalled that the crisis in the NBBF began in 2017 when the elective congress in Kano returned the then incumbent president, Tijanni Umar, unopposed while the one in Abuja produced Engineer Musa Kida as president.
Since 2017, basketball in Nigeria has not known peace as the leadership tussle between Kida who was eventually recognised by FIBA and the group loyal to Tijani Umar has not been resolved.
The same scenario played out yesterday as Engineer Kida was re-elected in Benin for a second term while his major opponent, Igoche Mark, was elected president in Abuja.
At the elective congress in Benin City, Musa kida unanimously polled 37 voted to be returned as the president with Babatunde Ogunde also re-elected as Vice-president.
Meanwhile, Ugo Udezue was elected representative of South East, Olumide Oyedeji South West, Alhaji Abba Kaka North East, Surajo Yusuff North West and Adamu Jalong North Central.
Others sworn in include Victor Okoro (Military/Paramilitary), Col Samuel Ahmedu (International Representative), Prof Musa Yakassai (NapherSD).
In Abuja, Mark Igoche, the North Central representative polled 11 votes to emerge president while Osita Nwachukwu, representing South East Zone, also polled 11 votes to emerge as vice president.
Other zonal representatives at the Abuja Congress are; Mohammed Lawal Na’Allah (North West); Ibrahim Gimba (North East), Kinglsely Aigbonaga (South South) and Josiah Ahmedu (South West).
Others on the NBBF Board are; Stanely Gumut (Players Representative), Tope Oluwosulu (Paramilitary Representative) and Scot Nnaji (Technical/Coaches Representative).
It will also be recalled that while the Federal Ministry of Sports had directed that the elective congress be held in Abuja where 29 other sports federations had held their elections, Kida defiled the order as he insisted that the congress must hold in Benin City.
In his post election speech, Igoche Mark said he was happy that stakeholders rejected the attempt
to impose unpopular candidates on them just as he appealed for all concerned stakeholders to unite and build the game.
On his part, Kida said “I thank you for the confidence reposed in me by your vote and my acceptance to continue to serve. I am in no doubt that the task ahead will be simple. However, no task is insurmountable if we put our minds to it and forge ahead together”.
As at press time, the Ministry of sports was yet to identify with any of the congresses.
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