Why I pulled out of NBBF presidential race – Igoche Mark

One of the leading presidential aspirants in the forthcoming Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) election, Mr. Igoche Mark, has withdrawn from the race.

Mark, who is the founder of the Mark D’Ball Basketball Championship and owner of Mark Mentors Basketball Club, announced his withdrawal in a statement on Wednesday October 14, 2026.

Addressing the basketball family, Mark said his decision to run for the presidency of the NBBF was driven by genuine passion for the game.

“My decision to aspire to the presidency of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), was born out of a genuine desire and passion to contribute to the growth of our game,” he said.

He explained that his vision was clear from the beginning.

“My intentions have been clear, clean, and focused: to grow grassroots basketball, reposition our domestic league to meet higher standards, create greater opportunities for our players and coaches, and demonstrate that what is achievable in basketball internationally can also be achieved here at home in Nigeria,” he stated.

Mark said despite his commitment to issue-based campaign, he was forced to take the difficult decision to step aside after assessing the electoral process.

“Following careful reflection and a sincere assessment of the process leading to this election, I have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from the race for the presidency of the NBBF,” he announced.

He faulted the credibility of the process, saying it cannot produce a leader that enjoys the trust of stakeholders.

“Let me state clearly that, in my assessment, while the process may have been free, it has not been sufficiently fair and credible to guarantee a genuinely level playing field for all contestants,” Mark said.

“My decision to withdraw is therefore not an abandonment of my commitment to Nigerian basketball. It is a statement of principle and a reflection of my conviction that leadership must emerge from a process that commands the confidence, trust, and acceptance of the people it is meant to serve,” he added.

The former Nigerian champion owner insisted his involvement in basketball was never about titles.

“My involvement in Nigerian basketball has never been about titles, positions, or personal recognition. It has always been about passion, sacrifice, and a genuine desire to build, develop, and grow the game,” he said.

He expressed concern that the fundamental problems facing the sport will persist if the leadership selection process remains flawed.

“I entered this race because I believed I could contribute to a new chapter in our basketball administration—one defined by transparency, accountability, inclusiveness, development, and unity. Sadly, I remain concerned that the challenges confronting Nigerian basketball will continue to persist if we fail to address the fundamental issues of fairness, credibility, trust, and meaningful stakeholder participation in the process of choosing our leaders,” he noted.

Mark was blunt about what he described as a selection disguised as an election.

“If we want to conduct an election, let us conduct an election. But if we do not want an election, then we should be honest enough to admit that we want a selection. We cannot call a process an election while denying contestants and stakeholders a fair opportunity to determine its outcome,” he declared.

“An election must be a genuine contest in which every qualified contestant has a fair opportunity to compete and stakeholders are free to choose their preferred leader. Anything short of this risks undermining confidence in the process and deepening the divisions that we should be working together to overcome,” he added.

He stressed that unity cannot be achieved without justice.

“There can be no genuine unity without fairness, and there can be no sustainable progress without the confidence of the people. The path to unity in Nigerian basketball is clear: a level playing field must be provided for every contestant, and basketball stakeholders must be allowed to freely choose who leads the Federation,” he said.

Despite stepping aside, Mark said he remains committed to the game.

“Let me emphasise that I am stepping aside from the contest, not from Nigerian basketball,” he said.

“My commitment to the development of the game remains unwavering. I will continue to support initiatives that create opportunities for our young people, strengthen our basketball structures, improve our competitions, and restore confidence in the administration of the sport,” he assured.

He thanked his supporters and called for reforms.

“To everyone who believed in me, supported my aspiration, offered advice, and stood with me throughout this journey, I express my profound gratitude. Your support has meant a great deal to me, and I will always appreciate the confidence you placed in my vision for Nigerian basketball,” he said.

“I sincerely hope that this moment will inspire honest reflection and meaningful reforms, ensuring that future elections are conducted on the foundations of fairness, transparency, credibility, and genuine stakeholder participation,” he added.

Mark concluded with a strong message about his future in basketball.

“I may be withdrawing from this race, but I am not withdrawing from the struggle to build Nigerian basketball. I may be stepping aside from the pursuit of an office, but I will never step aside from my responsibility to the game I love. My passion remains. My commitment remains. And my belief in the enormous potential of Nigerian basketball remains unshaken,” he said.