Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has firmly dismissed allegations of plans to rig the association's national election, insisting that the July 18, 2026, poll would be transparent, free, and fair, as he announced the deployment of Department of State Services operatives and foreign observers to monitor the process. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Osigwe said the security agency and international observers were invited to independently monitor the process and provide objective reports on the conduct of the election, while also denying allegations that he was attempting to impose a preferred successor. The NBA president, who said he would abstain from voting to eliminate any perception of bias, declared that the election would be "the most credible in the history of the NBA".
Osigwe's comments came amid heightened tensions surrounding the election, which has been threatened by legal challenges and allegations that the process is skewed in favour of a particular candidate. The NBA had zoned its presidency to the Western region for the 2026 election, with three Senior Advocates of Nigeria—Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, and Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe—cleared to contest. The election was previously threatened by court cases filed after Egbe Amofin O'odua, an association of Yoruba lawyers, sought recognition of Akinboro as the region's consensus candidate. Although two interim injunctions initially halted aspects of the electoral process, the Court of Appeal later set aside the restraining orders.
Osigwe dismissed allegations that he was using his office to influence the electoral outcome, insisting that the seven-member Electoral Committee of the NBA is constitutionally independent and does not take directives from him or any other official of the association. He maintained that he had no constitutional role in conducting the election and therefore could not influence its outcome. "Whether I have a favourite or not is immaterial," he said, adding that he had "absolutely nothing to do with the electoral process". He challenged critics to point to any action showing that he had used his office to influence the election, saying: "The question anybody should ask is: Have I abused my office to make it difficult for any person to campaign? Or to aid another person? The answer is absolutely no".
The NBA president alleged that a group, Egbe Amofin, had been mounting pressure to secure the emergence of a particular candidate, describing such efforts as inconsistent with the constitution and democratic principles of the association. "It is absurd to accuse me of imposing a candidate when those making the allegations are openly backing a particular aspirant," Osigwe said. He emphasised that no individual or group would be allowed to force any aspirant out of the race, although there would be no objection if any of the candidates voluntarily stepped down for another. He also vowed not to succumb to blackmail or reputation-damaging campaigns aimed at undermining the democratic process.
To reinforce confidence in the process, Osigwe disclosed that the association has invited the DSS, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and international observers to monitor the electronic election. He explained that the electronic voting process would require verification using lawyers' enrolment numbers, email confirmation, one-time passwords, and National Identification Number verification to protect the integrity of the election. He added that the list of accredited voters would be made available to all candidates within six hours after the close of the poll in line with the amended constitution of the association.
Osigwe also expressed concern over attempts to derail the election through litigation and what he described as unsubstantiated allegations capable of damaging the association's reputation. He lamented the growing trend of lawyers making allegations of electoral malpractice without substantiating their claims. "You hear, and read a senior advocate, for example, writing that he is not going to vote because he knows the election will be rigged," he said, challenging his critics to produce evidence of identity theft claims that had been made during his own election. "People create a story to try to delegitimise the process," he added.
The NBA president confirmed that one of the association's service providers was briefly arrested in the lead-up to the poll but has since been released, although some laptops belonging to him remained in the custody of security agencies. He expressed hope there would be no further interference with the electoral process. He also disclosed that the NBA's National Executive Committee reaffirmed its support for the process during an emergency meeting, paving the way for the election to proceed as scheduled.
Osigwe urged critics of the process to allow democracy to prevail, describing allegations of rigging as aimed at damaging the NBA's reputation and diminishing the association. "All the allegations of rigging are aimed at damaging the NBA's reputation, diminishing the NBA, and there should be no room for emotion, blackmail, wild allegations or rumour because all we want is a President that would command respect of Nigerians," he said. He called on members of the legal profession to set the standard for democratic polls and to conduct themselves in a manner that inspires public confidence, rather than delegitimising the process with allegations unsupported by evidence. "Courts should not be used to truncate our democracy. Neither should politicians be used to truncate our democracy," he said.
The election, scheduled for July 18, will see eligible members vote electronically to elect a new president, other national officers, and the NBA's representatives on the General Council of the Bar. With the association determined to proceed despite legal challenges and allegations of interference, all eyes will be on the conduct of the poll and whether the NBA can deliver on its promise of a credible and transparent electoral process.
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