NBBF Congress: AYNBA warns against alleged plot to disrupt October 15 elections

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The Nigerian Youth Basketball Supporters Association (AYNBA) has expressed concern over an alleged plot to disrupt the October 15 elective congress of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), warning that another leadership crisis could further affect the development of the sport in the country.

In a statement released yesterday, the AYNBA alleged that former NBBF presidential aspirant, Sam Ahmedu, was working with some unnamed persons to frustrate the electoral process due to concerns over the outcome of the elections.

The association urged all stakeholders to allow the congress to go ahead as planned, insisting that delegates should be given the opportunity to elect the federation’s next leadership.

According to the AYNBA, the issue is beyond the ambitions of any individual, noting that repeated leadership disputes have continued to impact Nigerian basketball.

The group also raised concerns over the selection process of delegates to the NBBF Congress, particularly allegations regarding the representation of Benue State.

AYNBA recalled the protest by a group of indigenous basketball players in Benue in October 2021, where the protesters called for the removal of Ahmedu as president of the Benue State Basketball Association.

The association said the controversy over the administration of Benue basketball was an indication of the divisions that had affected the sport at the state and national levels.

He also referred to the controversy over the NBBF annual general meeting on January 30, 2017, making allegations about attempts to disrupt the meeting. However, the claims in the statement have not been independently substantiated.

The AYNBA also made allegations regarding the management of the reported $2.25 million Kwese sponsorship funds and called for greater transparency in the emergence of delegates for the upcoming elections.

The association said the use of what it described as “Toronto delegates” to influence election results should not be allowed, insisting that all delegates must emerge through a transparent and legitimate process.

The group said it does not support any particular candidate, stressing that its interest lies in the future of Nigerian basketball.

As young basketball players, we don’t care who becomes president of the NBBF. We don’t care whether the person is an existing stakeholder or an outsider. We care about competence, credibility, capacity, well-being, competition, bottom-up development and opportunities”, reads the note.

The AYNBA argued that the next NBBF administration will be responsible for addressing challenges facing the game, including factional disputes, player welfare, competitions and grassroots development.

The association also appealed to all interested parties to put the interest of sport before personal ambitions.

Let the rules apply equally to everyone. Let’s leave it up to the delegates to decide. Let the stakeholders choose. Anyone who emerges should be allowed to drive. The game is bigger than any individual and faction,” he said.

The group therefore called on the NBBF and its stakeholders to ensure that the elective congress on October 15 is held in a peaceful and transparent manner.

“Let Congress hold. Let the delegates decide. Let Nigerian basketball move forward,” AYNBA said.