NBBF Leadership Crisis: Bakare Challenges ‘Expired’ Board, Demands Election Timeline

The ongoing leadership dispute within the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has escalated, with Ebun Comets Basketball Club proprietor, Ayodele Bakare, criticising an alleged attempt by the Musa Kida-led faction to cling to power beyond their mandate.

A group, including Ugo Udezue, Babatunde Ogunade, Musa Kida, Abba Kaka, Victor Okoro, and Felix Awogu, held a meeting on Sunday, which they labelled an NBBF Board session. A subsequent press release outlined future programmes and budgetary projections for the federation.

However, Bakare dismissed this as a distraction from the core issue: the schedule for new board elections. “At a time when stakeholders are demanding clarity on the date for the next NBBF Board elections, what we received was a masterclass in deflection,” Bakare stated, describing the announcement as ambitious but lacking substance on critical governance matters.

According to Bakare and other stakeholders, the board’s tenure concluded on 31st January 2026. They assert this position has been agreed upon by the federation’s Congress, and acknowledged by supervisory bodies including the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), and world governing body FIBA.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the attendance at Sunday’s meeting, with only six of the federation’s 14 board members reportedly present, prompting questions about the validity of any decisions made. Bakare also noted the contentious status of one attendee, following a reported replacement within the paramilitary category.

This development has exposed internal divisions. Days prior to Sunday’s meeting, a majority of board members publicly acknowledged their tenure had lapsed in line with the NBBF Constitution, urging an immediate Elective Congress to prevent a governance vacuum.

Significantly, Sunday’s press briefing made no mention of an Extraordinary Congress or an election timeline, instead focusing on future programmes.