By Divine Sam
A fresh crisis has erupted ahead of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 2026 national elections as allegations of rigging and undue influence continue to trail the electoral process, raising concerns among members of the legal profession over the credibility of the exercise.
The controversy intensified following claims that the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Josiah Osigwe, SAN, had endorsed a preferred candidate in the forthcoming election. However, Osigwe has firmly denied the allegations, insisting that he has neither backed nor influenced any aspirant seeking elective office in the association.
In a statement, the NBA President maintained that he remains committed to upholding the independence and integrity of the electoral process. He stressed that the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) is constitutionally empowered to conduct the elections independently and without interference from his office.
Osigwe further clarified that he has no constitutional role in determining who emerges victorious in the election and has not used his position to favour any candidate. He described reports suggesting otherwise as false and misleading, warning that such allegations could undermine members’ confidence in the association’s democratic institutions.
The NBA President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to conducting a free, fair and transparent election, urging members to resist misinformation and allow the electoral committee to discharge its responsibilities without external pressure or undue influence.
The allegations of rigging and candidate endorsement have sparked intense debate within legal circles, with stakeholders calling for greater transparency and strict adherence to the NBA Constitution to preserve the credibility of one of Nigeria’s most influential professional bodies.
As preparations for the 2026 NBA elections continue, all eyes will remain on the electoral committee and the leadership of the association to ensure that the process reflects the collective will of its members and strengthens confidence in the NBA’s internal democracy.
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