The NBBF campaign group warns against attempts to subvert the electoral process

Post views: 18

By Jim Umoh

Ahead of the NBBF Elective Congress, scheduled for Thursday, October 15, 2026 in Abuja, concerned stakeholders and groups have come out to strongly warn against attempts made by some individuals to subvert the electoral process by the outgoing NBBF board, through the Electoral Committee.

This warning came in response to moves by some disgruntled individuals who approached a court in Abuja to halt the electoral process, although the court refused, and moved the hearing to a future date.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the National Coordinator of the FriendsOf Nigeria Sports, Chief Diprieye Thompson, has expressed his displeasure at the attempts to stop the elections.

How he described the failed attempt to stop the election as evil, selfish and unpatriotic.

“Whatever the complaints of these people, trying to stop the elections, shows that they are not truly concerned about the growth and improvement of the game of basketball in Nigeria.

“They cannot claim to be unaware or ignorant of the provisions of the NBBF constitution, as it pertains to dispute resolution in the NBBF Constitution 2019, which deals with internal appeals, arbitration, suspension of associations, as well as the jurisdiction of ordinary courts,” he said.

Citing parts of the NBBF Constitution, 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 recognized sports dispute resolution bodies, including the National Court of Arbitration for Sport, the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the Court of Arbitration for Basketball, whichever is applicable.

It also recalled Article 30.7, which states that internal disputes should first be referred to the NBBF Appeals Panel, with further appeals lodged with the CAS or NCAS.

“It is obvious that resorting to the ordinary courts to stop the electoral process represented a blatant disregard for the provisions of the Constitution, regarding the resolution of disputes.

“Nigeria Basketball cannot afford to go down those harmful paths again, simply because of self-aggrandizement.

“It is necessary for all genuinely concerned stakeholders to respect the constitution of the NBBF and follow the provisions set out in the constitution.

“Nigerians are standing by and we will not sit with our arms folded while some people attempt to block the steady progress of basketball in Nigeria,” he added forcefully.