A Nigerian sports commentator has called on the National Sports Commission to halt the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) election scheduled for 15 October 2027 at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, describing the process as a sham. Writing in a column, Sylvanus Ofekun accused actors in the federation of pursuing tactics he described as "induce or replace" to swing the outcome.
Ofekun alleged that efforts are underway to install Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, as the next NBBF president, despite his limited background in the sport. He wrote that "basketball in Nigeria is on life support" and warned that "if the right thing is not done, the game may go extinct", although he credited Nigeria's women's national team, the D'Tigress, for their continental success.
Leading contender Igoche Mark echoed the complaints over the process. He said: "A lot of Nigerian basketball stakeholders are disenfranchised because they are just being removed overnight for no reason or just cause, without following due process." Mark also alleged that "a call came from my Deputy Governor to the Director of Sports asking for my name and that of Col. Sam Ahmedu to be changed, just because a certain top government official requested for that to happen, and in turn promised to electrify 3 villages in my state".
Former national team captain Olumide Oyedeji is also reported to have raised concerns, with Ofekun stating that attempts have been made to change delegates in his South-West stronghold, particularly those considered resistant to inducement.
