Three presidential aspirants in the forthcoming Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) elections have petitioned President Bola Tinubu over alleged irregularities in the race for the 2026 to 2030 term. The petition, dated October 12, was copied to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume.
Signed by Igoche Mark (North Central), Olumide Oyedeji (South West) and Ejike Ugboaja (South East), the petition accuses outgoing NBBF president Ahmadu Musa Kida, who also chairs NNPC Ltd, of working to secure victory for his preferred candidate, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria. The petitioners claim that over fifteen legitimate state basketball chairmen and representatives were arbitrarily removed and replaced across Zamfara, Kaduna, Gombe, Benue, Kwara, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Niger, Edo and Taraba.
The aspirants also challenged Abdullahi's eligibility, arguing that as a serving chief executive of a federal agency he would lack the commitment demanded by the NBBF presidency. The NBBF Elective Congress is scheduled for October 15 in Abuja. The petitioners have urged Tinubu to direct the National Sports Commission to halt the process and investigate the alleged breaches before any vote is held.
