By Andrew Abah
The Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF), Barrister Lanre Glover, has assured stakeholders of a free and fair election to produce a new president and other executive members of the federation on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Glover gave the assurance while speaking with sports journalists in Abuja at the weekend, stressing that all contestants would be given equal opportunities to exercise their franchise in accordance with the federation’s electoral guidelines.
The legal practitioner explained that the Electoral Committee would operate strictly within its jurisdiction as defined by the federation’s statutes and established electoral procedures.
He noted that electoral processes at national, continental and international levels are governed by specific rules that must be followed to ensure transparency and credibility.
According to him, the committee’s responsibility includes vetting nomination forms and determining whether aspirants have met the requirements to contest the election.
Glover disclosed that the committee had reviewed the nomination documents submitted by the presidential aspirants and would announce those who had qualified, as well as candidates who failed to meet the stipulated conditions.
Five aspirants were nominated for the NBBF presidency, but the committee cleared three candidates outright, while another was given an opportunity to complete his documentation.
The candidates cleared to contest are Olumide Joshua Oyedeji, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi and Ejike Ugboaja.
However, Mark Ugoche was given until Monday, October 12, to submit his outstanding tax clearance certificate or risk disqualification.
Glover explained that Ugoche’s tax clearance was missing from his submitted documents, prompting the committee to grant him additional time to fulfil the requirement.
Ayo Bakare, who also submitted his nomination documents, was disqualified for submitting his form after the deadline.
According to Glover, Bakare submitted his form at 2:12 p.m., 12 minutes after the stipulated deadline, making him ineligible to contest.
“Of the five presidential candidates, one is disqualified, Ayo Bakare, and one has a condition to meet, failing which he will be disqualified. His tax clearance must come in by Monday at the latest,” Glover stated.
The committee chairman emphasised that the electoral guidelines would be applied consistently, adding that aspirants were expected to comply with all requirements within the stipulated time.
On the issue of the federation’s most senior member within the international basketball governing body, FIBA, Glover said a formal
communication from FIBA was required before the matter could be resolved.
He explained that the letter must be addressed to the NBBF, rather than directly to the Electoral Committee, and should clearly identify the most senior Nigerian basketball official within FIBA.
Glover said the committee had written to the federation to facilitate the process, adding that the necessary communication was expected before further action could be taken on the matter.
He also clarified that certain responsibilities, including issues relating to sponsorship, remained within the purview of the NBBF and not the Electoral Committee.
Meanwhile, Ugo Udeze emerged as the sole nominee for the vice-presidential position and was cleared by the committee to contest.
In the zonal representative positions, two candidates will contest for the South-South seat: Osaze Omoroghon and Fubara Fibiga.
The North-West has Yusuf Surajo and Shaibu Mohammed as candidates, while the South-West contest will be between Adesanya Babatunde Adeola and Babatunde Omotayo Ogunade, popularly known as Babs Ogunade.
Abubakar Kaka was listed as the sole candidate for the North-East representative position, while Dr Mustapha Abdullahi was listed for the North-Central seat. Ugo Udeze was also listed for the South-East representative position.
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