Basketball stakeholders have vowed to resist any attempt to manipulate the constitution of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) in order to extend the tenure of the out gone board .
The group at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday argued that the tenure of the Musa Kida led board expired on January 31,2026 and frowned at the desperate attempts to unconstitutionally elongate the tenure of the board to October 2026.
The stakeholders insisted on strict adherence to the constitution of NBBF, the operating legal framework,which they swore to uphold on any issue bothering on the federation.
Speaking through their spokesman, Col.Sam Ahmedu, retired, the stakeholders expressed deep concerns over the state of affairs within the basketball family, especially as there is a desperate attempts o elongate the tenure of the board.
Colonel Ahmedu argued that the constitutional prosvision regarding the tenure of the NBBF Board was clear and unambiguous as spelt out in “Articles 21.8, 23.1, and 23.10 of the NBBF Constitution (2019) — the operative legal framework guiding basketball administration in Nigeria — the tenure of the Board elected on January 31, 2022, in Benin City expired on January 31, 2026.”
He stated “The Constitution clearly provides that tenure commences immediately upon election and swearing-in at the venue of the election,” .
Ahmedu explained that the swearing-in ceremony took place on January 31, 2022, in Benin City, with 11 out of the 14 duly elected members in attendance,pointing out that there is no constitutional provision recognizing or validating any separate “inauguration” ceremony as the commencement date of tenure.
He said it was unknown to the NBBF constitutional recent claims that the Board’s tenure extends until October 2026, on the grounds of an inauguration ceremony conducted by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports in October 2022.
Ahmedu quoted copiously from the NBBF Constitution to support their argument :
• The NBBF Constitution does not recognize inauguration as a determinant of tenure commencement.
• The Board commenced full operations immediately following the January 31, 2022 elections.
• FIBA formally congratulated the Board on March 7, 2022.
• Nigeria’s men and women’s national teams participated in international competitions under the authority of the same Board beginning February 2022.
• Internal communications acknowledged January 31, 2026 as the terminal date of the Board’s tenure.
He therefore affirmed “Accordingly, any attempt to extend tenure to October 2026 lacks constitutional foundation,” .
Ahmedu further cited Article 20.1 of the Constitution, which establishes Congress as the supreme organ of the Federation, while Article 20.2 mandates that Congress must be convened at least once annually, with the fourth meeting designated as an Elective Congress
He alleged that “no Congress was convened between 2022 and January 31, 2026,and pointed out that what was purported to be a Board meeting, hastily convened around December 4, 2024, failed to meet constitutional requirements regarding proper notice, quorum, and approved venue.”
In addition, he pointed out that Article 21.9 expressly mandates the holding of four quarterly Board meetings annually — a provision he said was not complied with throughout the period in question.
Ahmedu argued “These omissions constitute grave constitutional violations and serious governance lapses,”.
He concluded by emphasizing that Nigeria is governed by law and that its sports federations must operate within established constitutional frameworks.
He noted “The integrity of Nigerian basketball must not be compromised by unconstitutional tenure elongation or governance irregularities. This matter transcends personalities and speaks to institutional integrity, transparency, and accountability,”.
The group urged all stakeholders to uphold the Constitution and ensure an orderly and lawful transition in the best interest of Nigerian basketball.”
