Former D’Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji has called for the Nigeria Basketball Federation’s 2026 election to be cancelled, submitting an appeal that seeks a new vote.
Oyedeji, a candidate in the race for the NBBF presidency, sent his petition on 16 October 2026 to Emmanuel Okibe, Esq., chairman of the federation’s Election Appeals Committee. In the letter, he alleges that constitutional breaches, procedural flaws and bias compromised the integrity of the election process.
A major part of his complaint concerns his nomination for the South-West Representative position on the NBBF Board. Oyedeji said his name was omitted from the original candidates’ list despite having filed a properly completed nomination form. Although his name was later added during the Elective Congress, he argues that the late correction disadvantaged him and violated both the NBBF Constitution and the election rules.
He also disputed the alleged expulsion of himself and seven other former board members by the outgoing president. Oyedeji maintains that the move excluded the affected members from important pre-election deliberations and decisions. He further claims that the outgoing president made key decisions with the backing of only four board members, which he describes as a minority of the board.
According to Oyedeji, the expulsion decision was overturned two days before the Extraordinary Congress in Yola, meaning that actions taken while the eight members were excluded should no longer stand.
The former national team captain additionally challenged the legitimacy of the Yola congress. He cited alleged failures to comply with constitutional provisions covering the notice issued for the meeting, the required notice timeframe, and the makeup of the Electoral and Appeals Committees. Oyedeji said the appointment of individuals with whom he has personal relationships to those bodies created concerns over potential partiality.
He also objected to the removal of state association chairmen and state representatives from the Extraordinary and Elective Congresses shortly before they took place. Oyedeji accused the former president and secretary of playing a role in the decisions, which he said restricted the involvement of important stakeholders.
Oyedeji has questioned the election of Mustapha Abdullahi as NBBF president and Babatunde Ogunade as the South-West Representative, arguing that both men gained from the alleged defects in the process.
Abdullahi secured the presidency with 40 votes, while Oyedeji received eight. Former D’Tigers player Ejike Ugboaja did not record a vote.
The appeal came after Oyedeji promised to pursue the matter following the Elective Congress at the ICC Centre in Abuja. He characterised the exercise as a “selection” rather than a legitimate contest.
“I am not saying there was no election, but there was a selection,” Oyedeji said. “Everything I said before the election played out.”
He added: “Yes, I eventually lost, but I believe the outcome had already been predetermined.”
