NBBF Elective Congress: Edo Assures Security In Benin, Concerned Stakeholders Raise Alarm Over Plan To Scuttle Election

As the election is just a matter of days, a plan to scuttle the poll has been condemned by concerned basketball stakeholders in the country. This plan is being orchestrated by a group which called itself association of ex-players.

A member of the Edo State Basketball Association, Victor Umoru described the ancient city of Benin as a safe haven for indigenes and visitors with history recording the first European travelers arrival in Benin to be Portuguese​ explorers in 1485.​

“Recently, Benin under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki has opened up the state through sports”,​ Umoru said.

“We recently hosted the Super Eagles here in Benin, hosted different domestic club football events and capped it with the hosting of the National Sports Festival”.

For him, the ancient city of Benin remains home to all and a very historic place where history will once again be recorded.

Umoru thanked the NBBF congress for affording the state an opportunity to host such a landmark event being the first time ever in the history of NBBF elections where its constitution will be used.

“If Benin was not safe, the National Sports Festival would have been canceled by the Federal Government. Benin would not have played host to the Super Eagles if it was not safe”.

He urged stakeholders to shun rumor mills as they get set to experience the hospitality of Edo state with all hands on deck..

“On our part, we are ready to host Nigeria again. The congress made the right choice. NBBF has really evolved in the last 4 years. Going to a stadium or indoor hall to hold a congress is beneath the federation”.

Deadline for the submission of nomination forms and relevant documents is on Thursday, 27th of January.

Meanwhile, Concerned basketball stakeholders in Nigeria have decried moves aimed at disrupting the NBBF​ Elections slated for 31January, 2022.​

 These individuals under the aegis of a so – called Association of Ex Players, led by Ejike Ugbuaja, an acolyte of a candidate in the NBBF Elections,​ on Monday stormed the Federal Ministry of Youths & Sports premises threatening fire and brimstone to lead​ protests on the streets if the Sports Ministry does not stop the elections.​

At a time law abiding Nigerians are heaving a sigh of​ relief due to the upcoming elections that will bring the game back to normalcy for the benefits of the youths, the stakeholders said that it is disheartening to watch as these individuals​ plan to put a​ cog in the wheel of the collective progress in the sport in the Nigeria.

​ A Concerned Stakeholder, Hon Fubara Fibika, speaking from Port Harcourt in Rivers State said: “This is an unfortunate development. Nigerian basketball is too big for a group of disgruntled individuals to hold everyone to ransome. 

“The Honourable Minister of Sports has taken the best line of action by allowing the NBBF to conclude its Congress and Electoral Process which was put on hold last year, at the request of the ministry,​ after it commenced the process in line with the provisions of the 2019 NBBF Constitution three months ago.​ ​

“The credentials of those involved in this anti – social behaviour​ is suspect. Aside Ejike Ugbuaja, who played at​ local and​ international levels, the other members of this group are practically unknown with no pedigree and their mission is suspicious. The question is; what is their constituency, whom are they representing and are they eligible to vote at the NBBF Elective Congress? ,” he queried.

​ Akeem Busari, spokesperson for Friends of Nigerian Sports, FNS, a group of sports journalists, stakeholders and enthusiasts​, who was equally miffed asked; “Are they the only ex players in Nigeria? Calling this group​ “Association of Ex Players” is an afterthought because they are simply friends and followers of Igoche Mark who has declared his interest to contest in the NBBF Elections.​

” Igoche Mark is a gentleman, who among others, is duly qualified to run for whatever position he chooses to and they should encourage him to complete a nomination form to join the race, rather than resorting to a tactic which is generally known “if we can’t have it, then let it be damaged”.​ ​

Thank God the Electoral Committee, in line with the authority granted to it by the Congress, has extended the deadline up till 27th January, 2022,​ for intending candidates to summit their Forms of Intent to contest any position of their choice”.​

Mr Busari further advised the group to refrain from derogatory remarks​ and blackmail on Facebook against persons in authority which are aimed at misinformation. 

“Again​ basketball is not only played or administered in Abuja where the group is based. The 36 states and FCT Basketball Associations also have stakes in this process and therefore a few individuals should not be allowed to hold our country to ransom.​

The Concerned Stakeholders noted that the same set of people in collaboration with others instigated the female national team players to protest on social media. The group also sponsored the street protests in Abuja and Makurdi towards the end of last year. Their planning for the street protests​ was caught on tape. 

Having tried to stop the elections and failed, they have once again resorted to the only language they are comfortable with; that is​ ​ engaging in protest. Their aim, which has been expressed openly for all to hear, is for FIBA to ban Nigeria if election is not held by 31 January, 2022.

Other stakeholders also call on the ministry to disregard the threats from the group and concentrating on the task ahead.

Deadline for the submission of nomination forms and relevant documents is on Thursday, 27 January.