Nigerian Bar Association Confirms Schedule for National Executive Elections Amid Legal Challenges
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has reaffirmed its commitment to proceed with the national executive elections on Saturday, despite ongoing legal disputes and calls for a postponement.
NBA Chairman Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) addressed journalists on Friday, assuring members that the electronic elections would be conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.
In an effort to bolster confidence in the electoral process, Mr. Osigwe urged the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) to monitor the elections independently.
His comments surfaced amid controversies surrounding the electoral exercise, particularly from Egbe Amofin Oduah and its Chairman, Isiaka Olagunju (SAN), who have called for a delay in the elections while accusing the association of favoring certain presidential candidates.
Mr. Osigwe strongly rejected claims of a rigged electoral process, insisting that the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) was formed through a transparent procedure approved by the National Executive Council (NEC).
The NBA has denounced attempts to hinder the elections via lawsuits and baseless claims that could harm the association’s reputation. The elections follow a previous zoning agreement that allocated the 2026 chairmanship to the Western Zone, which includes Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, and Delta states.
Compounding the situation, two legal challenges had emerged—one from Egbe Amofin Oduah and another marked I/221/2026 involving Ibrahim Lawal, Raymond Oki, Omotan Olusola Ogunmodede, and Gabriel Ojo Adekunle Ijalana—aiming to contest the election’s conduct. However, the Court of Appeals later overturned interim orders that had initially suppressed the elections, allowing them to continue as scheduled.
Expressing concern over the controversies surrounding the polls, Osigwe noted that attempts to undermine the process had begun even prior to the establishment of the electoral commission. He emphasized that those insinuating fraud in the election risked creating unnecessary crises.
Scheduled to commence late Saturday night, the election process faced ongoing pressure for delays. “The election is set to begin at midnight, but there continues to be calls for a postponement,” Osigwe stated. He had convened an emergency NEC meeting to address the growing concerns, which ultimately reaffirmed the decision to proceed with the elections as planned.
Additionally, Mr. Osigwe revealed that one of the association’s service providers was briefly detained during election preparations but was subsequently released. “We are hopeful that no further arrests or interference will occur during the electoral process. Our commitment to conducting free and fair elections remains unwavering,” he added.
The NBA’s electronic national elections aim to elect a new executive that will lead the association during the upcoming governmental transition.
