NBBF election: Group Warns Against Attempts To Subvert Electoral Process
By Jim Umoh ( Friend of Nigeria Sports )
Ahead of the NBBF Elective Congress, slated for Thursday, October 15th, 2026, in Abuja, concerned stakeholders and groups have come out to warn strongly against the attempts being made by some individuals to subvert the electoral process by the outgoing board of the NBBF, through the electoral committee.
This warning has come as a response to the moves of some disgruntled individuals who have approached a Court in Abuja to halt the electoral process, even as the Court declined, and pushed the hearing for future date
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, National Coordinator of Friends Of Nigeria Sports, Chief Diprieye Thompson, expressed his disappointment in the attempts to stop the elections.
As he described the failed attempt to stop the elections as wicked, selfish and unpatriotic.
“Whatever the grouse of these people, attempting to stop the elections, shows that they are not truly concerned about the growth and betterment of the game of basketball in Nigeria.
“They cannot claim to be oblivious or ignorant of the provisions of the NBBF constitution, as it concerns dispute resolution therein the NBBF 2019 Constitution, which deals with internal appeals, arbitration, suspension of associations, as well as, the jurisdiction of regular courts,” he stated.
Citing parts of the constitution of the NBBF, Thompson, pointedly focused on Article 9.5 and Articles 34.1–34.3 of the NBBF Constitution which provides for independent arbitration, with disputes referred to recognised sports dispute-resolution bodies, including the National Court of Arbitration for Sport, the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the Basketball Arbitral Tribunal, whichever is applicable.
He also recalled Article 30.7, which states that internal disputes should first be referred to the NBBF Appeals Panel, with further appeals proceeding to CAS or NCAS.
“It’s obvious that by approaching the regular Court to stop the electoral process, was a blatant disregard for the provisions in the constitution, as it concerns disputes resolution.
“Nigeria Basketball cannot afford to go through those damaging routes again, simply because of self-aggrandizement.
“There’s the need for all genuinely concerned stakeholders to respect the constitution of the NBBF, and follow the established provisions therein the constitution.
“Nigerians are watching and we’re not going to sit down with arms folded, as some people attempt to stall the steady progress of basketball in Nigeria,” he added strongly.
