Concerned stakeholders and presidential aspirants in the forthcoming Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) elections have petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over alleged irregularities and constitutional breaches in the electoral process for the 2026–2030 tenure.

In a petition dated October 12, 2026, and addressed to the President, the stakeholders called for urgent intervention to ensure transparency, fairness and compliance with the NBBF Constitution ahead of the federation’s Extraordinary and Elective Congresses.

Copies of the petition were sent to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume.

The petition was jointly signed by three presidential aspirants: Igoche Mark, Presidential Candidate and North Central Representative; Olumide Oyedeji, Presidential Candidate, NBBF Member and South-West Representative; and Ejike Ugboaja, Presidential Candidate and South-East Representative.

The aspirants expressed concern over what they described as actions by the outgoing NBBF President, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, who also serves as Chairman of NNPC Ltd, allegedly aimed at influencing the electoral process in favour of his preferred candidate, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria.

“We, the undersigned stakeholders and candidates in the forthcoming Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) elections for the 2026–2030 term, most respectfully wish to draw your attention to grave irregularities and constitutional breaches in the ongoing electoral process,” the petition stated.

“We are deeply concerned that the outgoing President of the NBBF, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, who is also the Chairman of NNPC Ltd, has compromised the process to favour his anointed candidate, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria.”

The petitioners alleged that, less than two weeks before the Extraordinary and Elective Congresses, more than 15 legitimate State Basketball Association chairmen and representatives had been removed and replaced by individuals they described as unqualified.

According to the petition, the affected states include Zamfara, Kaduna, Gombe, Benue, Kwara, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Niger, Edo and Taraba.

The aspirants alleged that the changes were intended to secure votes for a preferred candidate and claimed that financial inducements, abuse of influence and the involvement of some state governors had contributed to the situation.

They described the alleged actions as contrary to the principles of fairness, equity and the NBBF Constitution.

The petitioners also claimed that some candidates had been excluded from positions they had applied for by the federation’s Electoral Committee.

The allegations have not been independently established in the information provided.

The stakeholders also raised concerns about the eligibility of Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi to lead the federation while serving as Director-General of a federal government agency.

They cited provisions they attributed to the Nigeria Public Service Rules, 2026 edition, arguing that restrictions on outside commercial activities and other engagements by full-time public servants could raise questions about the demands of the NBBF presidency.

The petitioners maintained that a serving head of a federal government agency might face challenges in committing the time and attention required to lead the basketball federation.

Their position formed part of their broader appeal for a review of the electoral process and the circumstances surrounding the candidates.

The aspirants urged President Tinubu to direct the National Sports Commission (NSC) to suspend the electoral process and investigate the alleged breaches before the elections take place.

They argued that intervention was necessary to protect the integrity of Nigerian basketball and ensure that the election complied with the federation’s constitution and applicable rules.

“In view of the foregoing, we humbly appeal to Your Excellency to kindly direct the National Sports Commission (NSC), to halt the process, and investigate these breaches before any election takes place in exercise of its oversight functions in order to ensure transparency, fairness and compliance with the Constitution and thus preserve the integrity of Nigerian basketball,” the petition concluded.

The petition places the conduct of the forthcoming NBBF elections under scrutiny, with the aspirants calling for an investigation into their allegations before the federation elects its leadership for the 2026–2030 term.