Nigeria Basketball Federation election postponed indefinitely

The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has postponed indefinitely the election into the leadership of the Nigeria Basketball Federation.

The postponement of the election, scheduled for October 30, 2021 in Benin City, was announced on Monday.

The postponement followed numerous crises rocking the NBBF leadership.

This was disclosed via a press statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ismaila Abubakar.

Part of the statement readL “Having reviewed the crisis around the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and in consideration of the several attempts by the supervising Ministry to resolve the lingering crisis and fractionalization in the Basketball family, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (FMYSD) hereby directs an indefinite suspension of the NBBF Elective Congress scheduled for 30 October, 2021 in Benin City. All concerned Stakeholders are expected to take note and comply.

“This decision is necessary to avert further deterioration of the leadership crisis and towards finding a workable solution to the current disagreements within the Federation. The rancour-free Development of Basketball in Nigeria is of utmost importance.

“The recent elections into the NBBF Board from the various Constituencies (i.e Zones, NAWIS, Military/Paramilitary, NAPHER.SD, etc) stand and those elected therefrom remain members-elect.”

The directive by the Ministry comes after former NBBF President, Musa Kidam reportedly labelled most athletes who elected Athletes Representatives-elect Stanley Gumut, as thugs.

Days after, basketball players in their large numbers launched massive protest in Abuja.