Ayodele Bakare, President of Comets Basketball Club and former head coach of Nigeria D’Tigers, don call on stakeholders say make dem finish Nigeria Basketball Federation election congress on or before October 15, 2026. As im dey talk about the leadership wahala wey dey shake the federation, im tell all the parties say make dem drop their doubts and start preparation sharp sharp, because FIBA don already write dem officially about the incumbent board tenure and the election timetable.
Bakare agree say FIBA, as the world governing body, don already before take position say Musa Kida suppose become NBBF president, and dat one, im talk, na im allow the current board to extend their tenure. Even with all dat one, im still insist say FIBA latest stand don lock the transition time — say the current board tenure go end for October 15 and new administration go take over for October 16.
Im talk say dem don set up Steering Committee, wey im call the “last line of defense,” to manage the electoral process if the incumbent board try to delay am. Bakare still stress say the election must run under the NBBF Constitution as e be, no pre-election amendments.
For the political side, Bakare warn the rival aspirants make dem no break the opposition into small-small groups, and im propose one united “Rainbow Coalition” wey fit challenge wetin im call the “Fabulous Five,” a faction wey im accuse say dem take over wetin originally be 14-member board. “None of the current aspirants, wey dey contest against demself and dey split the available vote, go fit commot the ‘Fabulous Five’ wey don entrench,” im talk. Im tell stakeholders say make dem focus on voter mobilisation instead of post-election governance structures, and im ask whether the plenty presidential hopefuls wey declare get the reach to win.
“I no know who the next NBBF President go be, but I fit easily tell you say among the current aspirants, some people DEFINITELY NO GO BE am,” Bakare tok.
