Abdullahi wins presidency as court battle, protests cloud election

Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, has been elected president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) after a disputed election in Abuja on Thursday, together with his victory coming amid allegations of irregularities and protests by rival candidates.

Mr Abdullahi secured 40 of the 48 votes forged on the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, defeating former D’Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji, who acquired eight votes.

Former Nigerian worldwide Ejike Ugboaja acquired no votes, whereas one other presidential aspirant, Igoche Mark, withdrew from the competition a day earlier than the election, citing considerations in regards to the equity and credibility of the method.

Mr Ugboaja additionally walked out of the proceedings after voting started, alleging that the method had been hijacked in favour of Mr Abdullahi. The election nonetheless continued, producing a brand new president for the federation.

The final result adopted a petition dated 12 October, during which Mr Mark, Mr Oyedeji and Mr Ugboaja requested President Bola Tinubu to direct the National Sports Commission (NSC) to halt the election and examine alleged breaches of the NBBF structure.

In the letter made obtainable to PREMIUM TIMES, the three aspirants accused outgoing president Musa Kida of compromising the method to favour Mr Abdullahi. They additionally alleged that greater than 15 state basketball affiliation chairmen and representatives had been eliminated and changed shortly earlier than the election.

The allegations haven’t been independently established. Mr Kida and Mr Abdullahi haven’t responded to the claims made within the petition both.

Election proceeds amid authorized problem

The controversy surrounding the election prolonged past the withdrawals and allegations on the congress.

A Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned a swimsuit difficult the legality of the NBBF elective congress till 3 November, permitting the election to proceed whereas the authorized problem remained pending.

The swimsuit was filed by former D’Tigers coach Ayodele Bakare towards the NBBF and the NSC. Mr Bakare, who was disqualified from contesting the presidency after submitting his nomination varieties after the deadline, is difficult the validity of the extraordinary congress held in Yola, Adamawa State.

The election additionally adopted a directive from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) that the NBBF conclude its board election by 15 October. The deadline fashioned a part of the method for ending Mr Kida’s tenure and putting in a brand new administration.

Mr Kida, who led the federation from 2017, had earlier mentioned he wouldn’t search a 3rd time period, bringing his eight-year administration to an finish.

At the congress, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko urged candidates and different basketball officers to place their variations apart and work collectively after the election.

“Today is the day to show that we are for basketball. Whatever it is, let’s put the ball to a stop here and see how we can move forward together as one family,” Mr Dikko mentioned.

Who is that this new NBBF president?

According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Abdullahi is a chartered engineer and a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He started doctoral analysis on the University of Manchester in 2016, initially enrolling for an MPhil earlier than advancing to a PhD.

He holds a grasp’s diploma from the University of Salford’s School of Computing, Science and Engineering and a bachelor’s diploma in mechanical engineering from Kano University of Technology, Wudil.

His analysis pursuits embrace acoustic engineering, significantly computational and experimental research of acoustic wave propagation and its purposes. His skilled expertise additionally consists of greater than six years at Nigeria’s National Space Research and Development Agency, the place he labored in house know-how.

Personal milestones

Mr Abudullahi has described his election as the fruits of a longstanding private reference to basketball, recalling that he as soon as borrowed cash to purchase a pair of footwear to pursue the game as a younger boy rising up in northern Nigeria.

“As a young boy growing up in Northern Nigeria, my basketball journey began on grassroots courts, driven by a passion so strong that I once had to borrow money to buy a pair of basketball shoes,” he wrote in a Facebook put up after his election.

He mentioned the presidency represented a duty to develop the sport and create alternatives for younger folks.

“This is more than a personal milestone; it is a call to serve and a commitment to the future of Nigerian basketball,” he added.

Mr Abdullahi has pledged to work with basketball officers and different teams to broaden grassroots participation, enhance services and strengthen home competitions. His administration can be anticipated to deal with considerations about participant welfare, funding and the organisation of the home recreation.

Ugo Udezue was elected vice-president unopposed, having emerged as the only candidate for the place.

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Challenges forward

The new president takes over a federation whose nationwide groups have recorded notable worldwide successes, significantly the ladies’s workforce, D’Tigress.

Unfortunately, the home basketball construction continues to face questions over funding, competitions and growth pathways.

Improving on previous performances would require constant participant growth, efficient administration and help for home competitions.

Mr Abdullahi’s rapid problem, nevertheless, may also be to deal with the divisions uncovered by the election and construct confidence amongst officers and different members of the basketball neighborhood who questioned the method.