NBBF Elections: Candidates Petition Tinubu Over Alleged Vote Manipulation

Three presidential aspirants in the forthcoming Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) elections have petitioned President Bola Tinubu over alleged irregularities, constitutional breaches and manipulation of the electoral process for the 2026–2030 term.

The candidates called on Tinubu to direct the National Sports Commission (NSC) to suspend the electoral process and investigate the allegations before the elections are held.

The petition, dated 12 October 2026, was also copied to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume.

The petitioners accused the outgoing NBBF president, Ahmadu Musa Kida, who also chairs NNPC Ltd, of allegedly compromising the electoral process in favour of his preferred candidate.

The petition was jointly signed by Igoche Mark, presidential aspirant and North-Central representative; Olumide Oyedeji, presidential aspirant and South-West representative; and Ejike Ugboaja, presidential aspirant and South-East representative.

The candidates expressed concern over what they described as deliberate attempts to influence the outcome of the elections through changes to the composition of state basketball associations’ leadership and delegates.

According to the petition, more than 15 state basketball association chairmen and representatives had allegedly been removed and replaced with individuals the petitioners considered unqualified, barely two weeks before the federation’s extraordinary and elective congresses.

The affected states listed in the petition include Zamfara, Kaduna, Gombe, Benue, Kwara, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Niger, Edo and Taraba.

The candidates accusing those behind the process of using financial inducements and political influence to sway the elections.

They further alleged that some state governors had supported the moves, which they described as contrary to the principles of fairness, equity and the NBBF Constitution.

The petitioners also claimed that some candidates had been excluded from positions for which they had applied, raising further concerns about the conduct of the electoral committee.

They therefore urged the President to intervene through the NSC’s oversight responsibilities to prevent further alleged breaches and ensure that the elections complied with the federation’s constitution.

“In view of the foregoing, we humbly appeal to Your Excellency to kindly direct the National Sports Commission (NSC) to halt the process and investigate these breaches before any election takes place,” the petition stated.

The aspirants said an investigation was necessary to guarantee transparency, fairness and compliance with the NBBF Constitution, while protecting the integrity of basketball administration in Nigeria.