The Appeal Committee of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has dismissed petitions challenging the outcome of the recent presidential election, affirming Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi as President for the 2026-2030 tenure.
Chairman of the Committee, Barrister Okibe Emmanuel, said the petitions filed by Olumide Oyedeji (South-West) and Mohammed Sani (North-East) were thoroughly reviewed and dismissed for lacking merit.
The three-man panel, comprising Emmanuel as Chairman, Chichi Nwoko and Emmanuel Zira, sat after the elective congress held on October 15, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Dr. Abdullahi, who is also the Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, had secured a landslide victory at the congress, polling 40 votes to defeat former D’Tigers captain, Olumide Oyedeji, who got 8 votes.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, Oyedeji and Sani petitioned the Appeal Committee seeking a review of the electoral process. The Committee, however, ruled that the election was conducted in line with approved guidelines and that the petitioners failed to provide sufficient evidence to warrant an overturn.
“The petitions were carefully examined in accordance with the electoral guidelines before the committee arrived at its final decision,” Barrister Emmanuel said while delivering the ruling.
With the dismissal, all challenges to the election have been laid to rest, paving the way for Dr. Abdullahi to fully assume office.
He is expected to focus on grassroots development, strengthening domestic leagues and repositioning Nigeria’s national teams for success on the international stage.
