Ahead of the October 15 Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) presidential election, Nigerian youths have declared that the federation needs urgent repositioning and not perpetual discord.
This was contained in a Joint Press Statement issued on Tuesday by the Students Sports Federation of Nigeria (SSFON) and the Amalgamation of Regional Youth Organizations of Nigeria (ARYON), which represents over 200 youth groups across the country.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, President-General of ARYON, Comrade Ibrahim A. Abdullahi, said the NBBF is a public institution and its presidency is not a personal entitlement or a lifetime position.
“The NBBF requires repositioning, not perpetual discord. Longevity within or around the federation should never be treated as an automatic right to perpetual leadership,” Abdullahi said.
Youths Tackle Gatekeepers, Demand Generational Renewal
The youth coalition expressed concern over attempts to dismiss younger aspirants with progressive ideas as “outsiders.”
“Generational renewal is not a threat; it is an absolute necessity. Any institution seeking sustained relevance must intentionally create room for new energy, modern thinking, and visionary leadership,” the statement read.
The groups said Nigerian basketball urgently requires structured administration, grassroots development, sustainable domestic leagues, modernized facilities, athlete welfare, and private sector investment.
“This vital resuscitation cannot occur amidst perpetual friction and recycled administrative models that have repeatedly failed. A 25-year period marked by stagnation underscores the compelling need for a new direction,” they added.
Youths Debunk EFCC Arrest Rumour, Warn Sponsors of Smear Campaign
The coalition also addressed what it described as unfounded allegations that a leading young candidate was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for corruption.
“Our independent findings confirm that no such arrest took place. The candidate voluntarily honored an invitation from the EFCC as a law-abiding citizen, provided clarifications, and departed without hindrance. There are no pending corruption charges,” Abdullahi clarified.
The groups said they have formally written to the EFCC on the matter and warned sponsors of defamatory publications to desist or face legal consequences.
“Look At Track Record, Not Age”
The youths urged delegates to scrutinize manifestos and verifiable track records rather than professional background or entrenched status. They pointed to candidates who have built verifiable basketball infrastructure in states like Kano and Kogi as examples of practical commitment that deserves serious consideration.
Answering questions from the media, National President of SSFON, Comrade Anthony Danjuma W., said their collaboration is not about endorsing a particular candidate.
“It is very clear that the collaboration is not actually on a particular candidate. But we are trying to draw the attention of the delegates to look with keen interest on people who have contributed magnanimously to the Basketball Federation infrastructurally, like in states like Kano and Kogi,” Danjuma said.
The coalition cited precedents to justify public servants contesting for federation presidency, mentioning Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of Customs who is President of Wrestling Federation, and Commodore Shettima Mohammed Shagir, who leads the Shooting Sport Federation.
They also reminded delegates that the amended NBBF Constitution mandates that a presidential aspirant must possess a verifiable source of livelihood.
“The choice is not about who has stayed the longest, but about who can take the game the furthest. Let competence prevail over entitlement. Let vision prevail over propaganda,” the youth leaders declared.
