Igoche Mark Quits NBBF Presidential Race, Faults Electoral Process

…Says election lacks fairness, credible level playing field

Basketball promoter Igoche Mark has withdrawn from the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) presidential election, alleging that the electoral process lacks the fairness and credibility required to guarantee a level playing field for all candidates.

Mark, founder of the Mark D’Ball Basketball Championship and owner of Mark Mentors Basketball Club, announced his decision in a statement Thursday’s morning, expressing concern over the conduct of the process ahead of the election.

He said his decision to contest the presidency was motivated by a genuine desire to contribute to the development of Nigerian basketball, particularly at grassroots level and through reforms to domestic competitions.

“My decision to aspire to the presidency of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) was born out of a genuine desire and passion to contribute to the growth of our game,” he said.

Mark said his vision included strengthening grassroots basketball, improving the domestic league, creating more opportunities for players and coaches, and demonstrating that the standards achieved internationally could also be replicated in Nigeria.

However, he said his assessment of the electoral process had forced him to reconsider his participation in the contest.

“Following careful reflection and a sincere assessment of the process leading to this election, I have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from the race for the presidency of the NBBF,” he announced.

Questioning the credibility of the election, Mark said the process had failed to provide sufficient guarantees that all contestants were competing on equal terms.

“Let me state clearly that, in my assessment, while the process may have been free, it has not been sufficiently fair and credible to guarantee a genuinely level playing field for all contestants,” he said.

He stressed that his withdrawal should not be interpreted as a loss of interest in Nigerian basketball, describing the decision instead as a matter of principle.

“My decision to withdraw is therefore not an abandonment of my commitment to Nigerian basketball. It is a statement of principle and a reflection of my conviction that leadership must emerge from a process that commands the confidence, trust and acceptance of the people it is meant to serve,” he added.

Mark maintained that his involvement in basketball had never been driven by the pursuit of positions or personal recognition, but by a commitment to developing the sport.

He warned that the challenges confronting Nigerian basketball would persist unless stakeholders addressed concerns over transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and participation in the federation’s leadership selection process.

“I entered this race because I believed I could contribute to a new chapter in our basketball administration — one defined by transparency, accountability, inclusiveness, development and unity,” he said.

“Sadly, I remain concerned that the challenges confronting Nigerian basketball will continue to persist if we fail to address the fundamental issues of fairness, credibility, trust and meaningful stakeholder participation in the process of choosing our leaders.”

The basketball promoter was particularly critical of what he described as a disconnect between the election’s stated purpose and the opportunities available to contestants to influence its outcome.

“If we want to conduct an election, let us conduct an election. But if we do not want an election, then we should be honest enough to admit that we want a selection.

“We cannot call a process an election while denying contestants and stakeholders a fair opportunity to determine its outcome,” he declared.

According to Mark, a credible election must allow every qualified candidate a fair chance to compete while enabling stakeholders to freely choose their preferred leader.

He cautioned that anything short of this would undermine confidence in the federation and deepen existing divisions within the basketball community.

“There can be no genuine unity without fairness, and there can be no sustainable progress without the confidence of the people,” he said.

Mark also called for a level playing field for all candidates and greater freedom for basketball stakeholders to determine who leads the federation.

Despite his withdrawal, he pledged to continue supporting initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for young players, strengthening basketball structures, improving competitions and restoring confidence in the sport’s administration.

“Let me emphasise that I am stepping aside from the contest, not from Nigerian basketball,” he said.

“My commitment to the development of the game remains unwavering. I will continue to support initiatives that create opportunities for our young people, strengthen our basketball structures, improve our competitions and restore confidence in the administration of the sport.”

He thanked his supporters for their encouragement throughout the campaign and expressed hope that his decision would prompt a review of the electoral process.

Mark called for future NBBF elections to be conducted with greater transparency, fairness, credibility and meaningful participation by stakeholders.

He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the sport, insisting that his withdrawal from the presidential race would not end his efforts to promote its development.

“I may be withdrawing from this race, but I am not withdrawing from the struggle to build Nigerian basketball. I may be stepping aside from the pursuit of an office, but I will never step aside from my responsibility to the game I love,” he said.

“My passion remains. My commitment remains. And my belief in the enormous potential of Nigerian basketball remains unshaken.”