By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Former D’Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji has appealed to the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Election Appeals Committee to nullify the 2026 federation elections and order a fresh exercise over alleged constitutional violations and irregularities.
Oyedeji, who contested for the NBBF presidency and the South-West Representative position on the board, submitted his appeal in a letter dated October 16, 2026, addressed to the committee’s chairman, Emmanuel Okibe, Esq.
In the appeal, the former national team captain alleged that several breaches of the NBBF Constitution and electoral guidelines undermined the credibility and fairness of the elections.
One of his major complaints was the initial omission of his name from the list of candidates for the South-West Representative position, despite submitting a completed nomination form to the Electoral Committee.
He argued that the late inclusion of his name during the Elective Congress placed him at a disadvantage and violated the federation’s electoral guidelines.
Oyedeji also challenged the purported expulsion of himself and seven other former board members by the outgone NBBF president, alleging that the decision excluded them from key discussions and decisions leading to the elections.
He maintained that decisions concerning the electoral process were taken by only four board members, whom he described as a minority, adding that the subsequent nullification of the expulsion order two days before the Extraordinary Congress in Yola raised questions about the validity of decisions taken in their absence.
The appeal further questioned the legality of the Extraordinary Congress in Yola, citing alleged violations involving the notice convening the meeting, the required notice period and the composition of the Electoral and Appeals Committees.
Oyedeji also expressed concern over the alleged inclusion of individuals with whom he had personal relationships in the committees, arguing that the arrangement raised questions about possible bias.
He accused the former NBBF president and secretary of being involved in the alleged arbitrary removal of state basketball association chairmen and state representatives from the Extraordinary and Elective Congresses shortly before the meetings, saying the action restricted stakeholder participation.
The former D’Tigers captain also challenged the emergence of Mustapha Abdullahi as NBBF president and Babatunde Ogunade as South-West Representative, alleging that the two candidates benefited from the irregularities he identified.
Abdullahi won the presidential election with 40 votes, while Oyedeji polled eight votes and former D’Tigers player Ejike Ugboaja received no votes.
Oyedeji is asking the Appeals Committee to cancel the election results and direct a fresh electoral process.
The committee’s decision is expected to be significant for the federation as the dispute continues to raise questions about constitutional compliance, electoral transparency and governance in Nigerian basketball.
