FIBA has recommended a fresh election into the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation. In a letter signed by FIBA Secretary General, Patrick Bauman and addressed to NBBF secretary, Chimezie Asiegbu, Engineer Musa Kida, Tijani Umar and the Nigeria Olympic Committee.
FIBA said the decision became necessary as the June 12 and 13 elections held in Kano and Abuja respectively failed to meet its statutes.
Arising from its February 10 meeting held at FIBA secretariat in Switzerland, the body noted that, “In the absence of an amicable solution between the parties, the Executive Committee has decided that new elections shall be held.”
FIBA which maintained its earlier stance of not recognizing both elections pointed out that it will work with relevant stakeholders to amend and develop the NBBF statutes so that such statutes fully comply with all relevant and applicable regulations, primarily the FIBA General Statutes, and guarantee complete independence of the election with no influence from third parties.
“FIBA will determine when the NBBF statutes are compliant per the above and reserves the right to oversee parts or the entirety of the elections process”, the letter continued.
“Communication still to be maintained with Engineer Musa Kida, Babatunde Ogunade and Chimezie Asiegbu until new elections are held,” FIBA stated
Meanwhile Engineer Kida has maintained that the NBBF will cooperate with FIBA to come up with acceptable statutes for basketball administration in Nigeria in line with FIBA’s provision.
“Going by the letter received this morning, FIBA was silent about the date for a new election as they unequivocally stated that they will maintain communications with the Musa Kida led board. We as a responsible organization with a passion for basketball development in Nigeria will work closely with FIBA during this critical phase, forging a way forward for basketball in Nigeria.”
