By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Damola Awosika, Vice Chairman of the Oyo State Basketball Association, has questioned the credibility of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) board elections, describing the exercise as a disappointment after eight years of hoping for positive change.
Awosika, reacting to the outcome of the elections, argued that the integrity of an electoral process should be assessed not only by the results announced but also by the structures and procedures through which they were obtained.
“After eight years of hoping for redemption, only to be punched in the gut all over again,” he said, expressing disappointment with the electoral exercise.
The seasoned lawyer stressed that the controversy surrounding the election was not about personalities but the integrity of the process.
“This is not about personalities, but about integrity. Integrity is not about intentions but it is about structures. That is the lens we must use to look at the outcome of the just-concluded NBBF elections,” he stated.
Awosika maintained that an election must be judged beyond the declaration of results, insisting that the procedures adopted before and during the exercise were crucial to determining its credibility.
“An election is more than a declaration of results. It is a test of process. By my account, this process failed that test,” he added.
His comments have added to growing concerns among basketball stakeholders over the conduct of the NBBF elections, which produced Dr Mustapha Abdullahi as the federation’s new president.
The electoral process has attracted criticism over alleged irregularities and concerns about compliance with the federation’s constitution. It has also been challenged in court, raising the prospect of further legal disputes.
Awosika’s intervention has renewed attention on the need for a credible electoral process capable of restoring confidence among stakeholders, promoting unity and providing a stable foundation for the development of Nigerian basketball.
