World’s basketball governing body FIBA has told The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to put its house in order or face the music.
The NBBF has been enveloped by an ongoing leadership crisis dating back to June prompting FIBA to give the national Basketball body until November 30 to resolve the situation.
The body currently has two factions after two separate elections were held in June. The elections led to two separate presidents and executive committees.
Former NBBF president Tijani Umar was re-elected for another term during the June 10 election in Kano before Musa Kida emerged as president from an election instigated by the sports ministry three days later and this led to the current leadership tussle between the two presidents and their respective executive committees.
FIBA secretary-general, Patrick Baumann, signed a letter sent to both factions. In the letter, the world governing body stated it will only communicate with the Musa Kida (President) and Babatunde Ogunade (Vice- President) faction until the November 30 ultimatum.
The world’s basketball governing body further pointed out that this development does not imply that the faction, which was elected on June 13, is the one recognised by FIBA.
The letter from FIBA said:
1. FIBA is not entirely satisfied that either election was carried out in accordance with the FIBA General Statues. Consequently, pursuant to Article 9.10 of the FIBA General Statutes, FIBA cannot recognise either election.
2. FIBA instructs the NBBF to resolve this current dispute internally, whether through new elections of (preferably) through an amicable solution under the auspices of the National Olympic Committee, before 30 November 2017.
3. In the event that a solution complying with the FIBA General Statutes is not found, the NBBF will be subject to the possibility of sanctions, including without limitation, a suspension of its membership with FIBA.
4. In the event that a solution is not found, regardless of any sanctions, FIBA will appoint a task force that will take any appropriate measure(s) in the interests of basketball in Nigeria.
5. FIBA will communicate, as of now and until 30 November 2017, solely with the persons named as board members on 13 June 2017, namely Mr Ahmadu Musa Kida as NBBF President and Mr Babatunde Ogunade as Vice-President using nigeriabballinfo@yahoo.com for official correspondence.
6. FIBA maintains that while this letter clarifies the line of communication between FIBA and its member and divisions, on one hand, and NBBF on the other, it shall not be understood as a recognition by FIBA of the management elected on 13 June 2017.
7. FIBA will continue to study the allegations of state intervention and non-democratic elections at the NBBF.”
