Changes in State Basketball Representatives Get Support from Governors' Aides

The Forum of Special Assistants and Senior Special Assistants on Youth to Governors of Nigeria has praised the changes in some state basketball associations ahead of the Nigeria Basketball Federation election on Thursday.

The forum said these changes are normal decisions by state governments to boost performance and improve sports development.

In a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, the forum, led by Eric Uwakwe, the Special Assistant on Youth to the Imo State Governor, said state governments have the right to check how well their representatives are doing and pick new people they believe can help basketball grow.

They pointed out that some representatives have been in their roles for over eight years. They argued that it makes sense for governments to review and change leadership to bring in fresh ideas, stronger commitment, and better results.

The forum warned against seeing these changes as electoral tricks or connecting them to the Federal Government or any NBBF presidential candidate without proof.

"State governments have the right to assess their representatives and make changes whenever they consider it necessary in the interest of improved performance and sports development.

"If a government decides to appoint a more active and result-oriented representative, that choice is part of its administrative rights, as long as it follows the laws and rules in place.

"If anyone has a problem with a state's decision to change its representative, they should ask the state government for clarification or seek help, instead of blaming the President, a presidential candidate, or anyone else without proof," the statement said.

The forum urged basketball stakeholders to tell the difference between proper administrative decisions and actual electoral interference.

It encouraged everyone to focus on improving basketball management, promoting development at the grassroots level, and ensuring that the NBBF election follows the correct rules and democratic practices.