Former D’Tigers captain and Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) presidential aspirant Olumide Oyedeji has raised serious concerns over the credibility of Thursday’s federation election, alleging intimidation, changes to the delegate list and interference in the electoral process.
Oyedeji questioned whether the October 15 election would be conducted fairly, claiming that developments leading up to the vote had undermined his confidence in the process.
“Things over there, I don’t think it was right. No, I don’t think it. It wasn’t right,” Oyedeji said.
The former basketball international alleged that individuals were being pressured ahead of the election, with influential figures reportedly contacting officials and delegates.
“You see intimidation. You see people calling the chairman,” he stated.
Oyedeji further alleged that a governor from the South-East had been contacting other governors, directors and commissioners in connection with the election.
He described such involvement as inappropriate, arguing that candidates should be allowed to compete without undue influence.
“We don’t need that. If you know that you’re popular, if you know you really are people’s man, all those things will not need to be done,” he said.
Oyedeji maintained that a credible electoral process must be both free and fair, expressing doubts about whether Thursday’s vote would meet that standard.
“Are we going to have a free election? Yes. Are we going to have a fair election? I don’t know. I mean, I don’t think so,” he declared.
The presidential aspirant suggested that the outcome might already have been influenced by decisions taken before voting.
“Maybe we’re just going there to just stamp what has already been planned,” he alleged.
He also questioned changes to the composition of the electorate.
“Since all the delegates have been changed, since most delegates have been intimidated,” Oyedeji said.
His allegations, which remain unverified, place fresh scrutiny on the NBBF electoral process ahead of Thursday’s presidential contest.
The electoral committee and individuals implicated in his claims have not been heard in this report.
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