By BETHEL OBINNA, Abuja
The Appeals Committee on the Elections of the President and Vice President elect of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF in the National sports federations election conducted on Tuesday in Abuja has thrown out the petition filed by Engr. Musa Kida, Babs Ogunade, Mark Igoche and Osita Nwachukw against Tijani Umar and Muktar Khaled; president and Vice president respectively.

The 8 man Appeals Committee headed by Barrister Abdulhakeem Mustapha while throwing out the petitions noted that two grounds were raised concerning non-compliance with the provisions of the Elections and Appointment Guidelines into the Non-Concessioned Sports Federations and Intimidation of candidates and Bias.

Briefing the media men, a member of the committee Austin Mgbolu said there was evidence of non-compliance with the provisions of the Guidelines by the Electoral Committee particularly the provisions of Item 2.1(i) when it committed the 2nd senior representative of an international body in the person of Col. Samuel Amedu(Rtd).

The Committee however noted that the proper person to protest in this case, Col. Amedu did not bring any petition and the time within which to do so as provided in Item 8.8.1(iv) has now lapsed. Therefore he is barred from so doing.

On the issue of the selection of Mr. Olumide Oyedeji as the Athletes’ representative, the petitioners under Ground A of their Petition stated that he is not resident in Nigeria; the committee noted that this issue of residency was not contained in the Guidelines as a pre-requisite for eligibility.

The Appeals committee also noted that all the 11 members of the Board signed and were duly accredited to participate in the election.

In addition, the committee noted that the contention by the petitioners that Mr. Muktar Khaled is not qualified to serve on the Board of the NBBF because he is the President of FIBA Zone 3 is not supported by any Rules or known Regulations, therefore his nomination and subsequent election for Vice President remains.

Meanwhile, the National Sports Commission has disclosed that the inauguration of the elected members of the various boards of federations would hold today in Abuja.