Former Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) spokesperson and veteran sports journalist, Patrick Omorodion has called on the National Sports Commission (NSC) to stay clear of the federation’s electoral process, alleging that the commission is being used to influence the forthcoming NBBF election.
Omorodion, who is also a former scribe of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos State chapter, made the call in a strongly worded commentary as controversy continues to surround the NBBF Congress going on in Yola, Adamawa State.
His comments come amid growing concerns over the conduct of the congress, with some stakeholders questioning the notice period, constitutional procedures and changes involving state basketball associations.
Omorodion drew a comparison with the recent controversy surrounding the Nigeria Football Federation, alleging that the NBBF leadership was following a similar pattern by moving its congress away from Abuja.
“Like Ibrahim Gusau did in football by taking the elective congress to Lafia in Nasarawa so as to disenfranchise a lot of people and perpetuate himself in office, Musa Kida, the outgoing president of the NBBF, is doing the same in basketball,” Omorodion said.
He alleged that Kida, who has been at the centre of the NBBF leadership debate, was seeking to influence the succession process after opposition to a possible third-term bid.
According to Omorodion, the planned move to Yola and alleged changes to state association leadership could affect the composition of the electoral college.
“He is uprooting state chairmen who are not playing ball with him and replacing them with his stooges with the help of state governors few weeks to the election,” he added.
He further claimed that in states where attempts to change association chairmen had not succeeded, voting rights were allegedly being reassigned to other individuals.
“The voting rights are being withdrawn from them and transferred to unknown persons with the help of officials of the National Sports Commission, NSC, I hear,” he stated.
Omorodion also questioned the NSC’s position, particularly given its recent intervention in football administration.
“Is the NSC telling Nigerians that the Kida-led NBBF has been a success?” he asked.
He argued that basketball stakeholders should be allowed to determine the federation’s next leadership without external interference.
“The basketball family is saying they have had enough of Kida and the NSC is not giving them the opportunity to make their choice?” Omorodion stressed.
The veteran journalist concluded with a direct appeal to NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director-General Bukola Olopade.
“NBBF has had enough crisis since 2017 and wants their Federation to breathe a new life, therefore NSC chiefs, Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade should not thwart their effort to make a change.”
The controversy comes as the NBBF heads into a crucial period, with the federation’s leadership transition already attracting competing positions from stakeholders and presidential aspirants.
Former D’Tigers star Ejike Ugboaja, for instance, has separately called for equal access to information and a transparent process for all contestants.
Patrick Omorodion
With the Yola Congress under way, attention is now firmly on whether the meeting will proceed and how the concerns raised by stakeholders over the electoral process will be addressed.
