Amid the standoff between the Musa Kida-led immediate past board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and the Sports Ministry, the sports governing body the Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA) has issued a 30 January 2022 deadline for the election of a new board.
In a letter addressed to sports minister Sunday Dare, the global basketball governing body also issued a stern directive warning off any amendments to the 2019 NBBF constitution.
Signed by the FIBA president, Hamane Niang and secretary Andreas Zagklis (FIBA Secretary), the letter also restated the body’s stance contained in an earlier communication with the ministry in November emphasizing non-interference in the internal affairs of National Member Federations (NMF) and that elections must satisfy with Article 9.7 of its General Statutes.
“We hereby inform you that FIBA’s Central Board has approved a deadline extension for the celebration of the Nigeria Basketball Federation’s (NBBF) Electoral Congress up until 31 January 2022,” the letter stated.
“In doing so, FIBA reiterates and confirms the contents of our letter dated 2 November 2021, including that FIBA will not recognise any changes to the NBBF’s statutes prior to the celebration of the Electoral Congress.
“Regarding the participation of the national teams in the FIBA 2023 World Cup African Qualifiers, FIBA confirmed that the NBBF holds the obligation to manage the affairs of the national team independently and without the influence of third parties.”
The NBBF has been inoperational for months after Kida whose tenure has elapsed and who is seeking re-election alleged interference by sports minister Dare in the now-postponed elections.
