Basketball promoter Igoche Mark has pulled out of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) presidential election. He says the process lacks the fairness and credibility needed for a level playing field.
Mark is the founder of the Mark D’Ball Basketball Championship and owner of Mark Mentors Basketball Club. He announced his decision in a statement on Thursday morning.
Why He Stepped Aside
Mark said he entered the race out of a genuine passion to grow Nigerian basketball. His plans included strengthening the grassroots, improving the domestic league and creating more opportunities for players and coaches.
However, he said a careful review of the process forced him to reconsider. In his view, the election may have been free, but it was not fair or credible enough to give every contestant an equal chance.
He insisted that the move is a matter of principle, not a loss of interest in the sport. Leadership, he said, must emerge from a process that earns the trust of the people it serves.
“Election” or “Selection”?
Mark also criticised what he sees as a gap between the vote’s stated purpose and what contestants can actually influence. According to him, the federation should be honest if it wants a selection rather than an election.
He argued that a credible election must give every qualified candidate a fair chance. It must also let stakeholders freely choose their leader. Anything less, he warned, would weaken confidence in the federation and deepen divisions in the basketball community.
He called for greater transparency, accountability and stakeholder participation in future elections.
Commitment to the Sport Remains
Despite quitting the race, Mark pledged to keep supporting young players, strengthening basketball structures and improving competitions. He said he is stepping aside from the contest, not from Nigerian basketball.
He thanked his supporters and expressed hope that his decision would prompt a review of the electoral process.
