NBBF crisis: FIBA rejects Kida, Umar’s elections
@Ngobuadavid The governing body of basketball in the world, FIBA, yesterday wrote to reject the two elections recently held into the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).
It is an open secret that the sport federation is engulfed in crisis following two separate elections that produced two presidents for the NBBF.
While the election held in Kano on June 12 re-elected Mr. Tijani Umar as president, the one in Abuja on June 13 produced Mr. Ahmadu Musa Kida as president.
Although the NOC and sports ministry have since recognised the Abuja election, FIBA yesterday said both did not comply with FIBA General Statues.
However, the body said for the purpose of communication, it will deal with the Kida led board till 30 November 2017 while carrying out its investigation into allegations of ‘government intervention and non-democratic elections of NBBF’.
The letter reads, “Following the numerous conflicting reports regarding the situation surrounding the NBBF, FIBA is not entirely satisfied that either election was carried out in accordance with the FIBA General Statues. Consequently pursuant to Article 9.10 of the FIBA General Statues, FIBA can’t recognise either election.
“In this respect, FIBA has taken note of the communication by the Nigeria Olympics Committee’s Secretary General and the Nigeria Ministry of Sports, respectively, which have recognised the election held on 13 June 2017.
“For this reason, FIBA will communicate as of now and until 30 November 2017 solely with the persons named as board members on June 13 2017, namely Mr. Ahmadu Musa Kida as NBBF president and Mr. Babatunde Ogunade as vice-president.”
FIBA however stressed that it has not in any way recognised the Abuja election.
“Therefore, while this letter clarifies the line of communication between FIBA and its members and divisions, on the one hand, and NBBF on the other, it shall not be understood as recognition by FIBA of the management elected on 13 June 2017.”
Meanwhile when contacted, Mr. Tijani Umar said everything said in the letter from FIBA is clear and his is ready to comply with it.
“It is clear and we agree with it. It provides proper guidelines. We intend to do our utmost best in line with the letter from now till November.
“Anybody who loves to do the right thing will be happy with it,” he said.