Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria, has withdrawn the national basketball teams of the country from international competition for the coming two years, directly disregarding the non-interference regulations set out by FIBA (International Basketball Federation).
On Thursday, 12 May, Sunday Dare, a statement came from Nigeria’s Sports Minister’s office read, “Following the endless crises that have invaded and nearly crippled basketball development in the nation, President Muhammadu Buhari has today endorsed the instantaneous withdrawal of Nigeria from all International Basketball Competitions for next two years.”
Dare further added, “Government plans to use this break period to address all controversial matters among stakeholders.”
The development is the completion of a protracted tussle for the supervision of the Nigeria Basketball Federation [NBBF], which goes back to 2017 when Musa Kida and then-incumbent Tijani Umar emerged as factional leaders in two different elections.
Kida said he was surprised by Thursday’s decision: “I’m speechless.”
“I denied to accept it when I heard. And I’m finding it very difficult to believe that the president took this decision.”
“It’s like a bad dream that you wish to wake up from.”
Nigeria’s most loved Achiuwa, who plays for the Toronto Raptors, is at the stake of missing international basketball for the coming two years.
This move by the president has left Nigeria in violation of Art 9.7 of the FIBA regulations on third party interference, mainly the government.
As per the rules of FIBA, “National member federations shall handle their affairs independently and with no impact from third parties. In particular, they must assure that their officials are either elected or appointed under a democratic process for a term of office of almost four (4) years.”
The government’s decision to not only withdraw the nation from international competition but also to select an interim management committee is a violation of these rules. It left the country at grave risk of suspension.
FIBA has not yet reacted to this news, but Kida said they would have no option but to act, their reaction is very predictable.
“They will not comprehend why the government is taking this standpoint and will have to follow their rules.”
Aforesaid interference from the sports ministry has already seen Nigeria’s Basketball Africa League team, Rivers Hoopers, disqualified from the 2022 edition.
