NBBF Appeals Committee Dismisses Oyedeji’s Petition, Upholds Elections

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Appeals Committee has dismissed Olumide Oyedeji’s petition challenging the federation’s 2026 elections, ruling that it lacked merit and sufficient evidence.

The committee, chaired by Barrister Emmanuel Okibe, upheld the results declared by the Electoral Committee, saying Oyedeji failed to provide the requested evidence to substantiate his allegations within the stipulated period.

Oyedeji, who contested for the South-West Zonal Representative position and the NBBF presidency, had asked the committee to overturn the zonal election, which he lost, and nullify the entire electoral process.

His complaints included the initial omission of his name from the list of cleared candidates, the alleged expulsion of eight board members, irregularities in delegates’ lists, the choice of Yola, Adamawa State, as the venue for the extraordinary congress, and the appointment of the Electoral and Appeals Committees.

The committee said the omission of Oyedeji’s name was promptly corrected after he raised the issue, with the elective congress approving his inclusion. He subsequently contested but lost in what the panel described as a free, fair and transparent election.

On the choice of Yola as the venue for the extraordinary congress held on September 25, 2025, the committee found no evidence that the decision influenced the election or breached the 2019 NBBF Constitution. It also noted that Oyedeji attended the congress, where the electoral process was discussed and approved, without lodging an objection.

The panel found no evidence of constitutional breaches in the composition of the Electoral and Appeals Committees. It also said Oyedeji failed to provide documents supporting his claim that eight board members had been expelled or to show how the alleged action affected his electoral chances.

Regarding delegates’ lists, the committee said the former NBBF president lacked the constitutional authority to independently alter delegates nominated by states and recognised constituencies. It added that the NBBF Secretary General had sought confirmation of delegates from the relevant states and constituencies.

The committee also alleged that Oyedeji had unsuccessfully attempted to present himself as a Lagos State delegate, while a board member from Benue State had made a similar unsuccessful attempt.

The committee raised concerns over documents Oyedeji attached to his petition, which he said had previously been submitted to the National Sports Commission (NSC), FIBA and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

According to the panel, Olumide Bamiduro, a former Director of FEADS and current NBBF board member, confirmed in writing that he had neither signed the documents nor authorized anyone to use his signature.

The committee said the claim raised concerns about possible forgery and impersonation, recommending that the NBBF refer the matter to relevant law enforcement authorities for investigation.

It stressed that the allegations required further investigation and had not been established by a court of law.

The committee consequently dismissed Oyedeji’s petition and upheld the 2026 NBBF election results.