Abdullahi Mustapha has emerged president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, defeating former D’Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji in an election shadowed by controversy and allegations of irregularities.
Mustapha polled 40 votes against Oyedeji’s eight.
Stakeholders in Nigerian basketball gathered at the International Conference Centre in Abuja to elect new board members of the Nigeria Basketball Federation.
But the build-up to the elective congress was marred by controversies, with allegations ranging from disenfranchisement to corruption, casting a shadow over the process.
On the eve of the election, presidential candidate Mark Igoche withdrew from the race, citing alleged irregularities in the process.
Former Nigerian international Ejike Ugboaja also pulled out minutes into the election.
Tension escalated during the proceedings, with National Sports Commission Director-General Bukola Olopade expressing frustration over aspects of the process, particularly the omission of a FIBA representative from the board.
Despite the controversies and withdrawals, the election was concluded, with Abdullahi Mustapha emerging victorious after securing 40 votes to Oyedeji’s eight.
In his post-election remarks, Mustapha outlined his vision for Nigerian basketball, built around his DCIU programme.
With a new president now in place, attention shifts to how Mustapha will translate his DCIU agenda into concrete reforms, restore confidence among stakeholders and put Nigerian basketball on a stronger path to growth.
(Follow AIT News on WhatsApp, AfricaIndependentTV on YouTube, ait_online on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter), and officialait on TikTok, Instagram and Threads)
Editor: Ada Ononye
