Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association has unequivocally resolved that the 2026 NBA National Officers and General Council of the Bar Elections will proceed as scheduled on Saturday, July 18, 2026, despite recent developments surrounding the association's Election Service Provider. The resolution was reached at NEC's Virtual Emergency Meeting held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, where members unanimously reaffirmed the association's commitment to constitutional governance, institutional independence, and the preservation of its democratic processes. The meeting followed the reported arrest of the Managing Director of the election service provider by operatives of the Department of State Services, an action that NEC strongly condemned.
During the meeting, the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association briefed the Council on the state of preparations for the elections and unequivocally affirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible poll on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The Committee informed NEC that there was no operational or logistical basis for postponing the elections, as all necessary arrangements remained firmly on course. NEC emphasized that no external interference or unforeseen circumstance would derail the electoral timetable approved by the association, stressing that the credibility and integrity of the NBA's democratic institutions must be protected at all times.
The Council also strongly condemned the arrest and detention of the Managing Director of the NBA's Election Service Provider by the Department of State Services, describing the development as deeply troubling. NEC consequently demanded his immediate and unconditional release, insisting that no action should be permitted to undermine the conduct of a free, fair, transparent, and credible election. Shortly after the emergency meeting, it was confirmed that the Managing Director had been released from custody. With these developments, the election scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026, remains uninterrupted.
Reaffirming the Association's longstanding commitment to the rule of law, NEC called on all eligible members of the Bar to remain calm, participate peacefully in the elections, and continue to uphold the ideals of democracy and the independence of the legal profession. The Council maintained that the 2026 NBA National Elections will hold as scheduled on Saturday, July 18, 2026, while urging all relevant authorities to respect the autonomy of the Association and refrain from any action capable of interfering with its democratic processes.
The controversy surrounding the election has intensified in recent days. The NBA had earlier rejected a purported directive from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, seeking to postpone the election. In a statement issued on July 13, 2026, the NBA described the alleged directive as unconstitutional, ultra vires and an attempt to subject the association to external control. The association insisted that only its National Executive Council has the constitutional authority to decide on the postponement of its elections. The reported arrest of the service provider's Managing Director by the DSS was seen by many as an escalation of the government's perceived interference in the electoral process.
The development has drawn widespread attention from legal practitioners and civil society organisations, with many lawyers expressing concern over the involvement of security agencies in the internal affairs of the NBA. The association has consistently defended the independence of its electoral process and rejected any external interference. The release of the service provider's Managing Director and the reaffirmation of the election date have been welcomed by many members, who see the swift resolution as a victory for the rule of law and institutional autonomy.
As the NBA prepares for the election, the legal community will be watching closely to ensure that the process is conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner. The association has urged all eligible members to participate peacefully and to uphold the ideals of democracy and the independence of the legal profession. The outcome of the election will have significant implications for the leadership of the NBA and the direction of the legal profession in Nigeria. The reaffirmation of the election date sends a clear message that the NBA will not be cowed by external interference and remains committed to its democratic principles and constitutional governance.
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