A forum of Yoruba lawyers, Egbe Amofin Oodua, has called for the postponement of the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential election, citing concerns over the transparency, credibility and integrity of the electoral process.
The group said delaying the election would allow the implementation of previously agreed electoral reforms aimed at ensuring a free, fair and credible poll.
Speaking with journalists in Ibadan, the Chairman of the Governing Council of Egbe Amofin Oodua, Isiaka Olagunju (SAN), accused the leadership of the NBA of reneging on agreements reached with stakeholders on reforms designed to strengthen confidence in the association’s electoral system.
Olagunju, a former General Secretary of the NBA and immediate past Chairman of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), alleged that the NBA leadership failed to honour an understanding reached during a meeting involving presidential candidates and key stakeholders.
According to him, the agreement was to postpone Saturday’s election to allow the implementation of reforms, including replacing the current email-based authentication system with voting through members’ National Identification Number (NIN)-linked phone numbers.
He argued that proceeding with the election without implementing the agreed reforms has heightened concerns among members regarding the credibility of the voting process.
“We are calling on the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe (SAN), and the Electoral Committee of the NBA to postpone this election. The earlier agreement reached with the presidential candidates was that the election would be postponed to allow for necessary reforms and proper sensitisation of members,” Olagunju said.
He expressed disappointment that the NBA leadership allegedly decided to proceed with the election despite objections raised by several stakeholders.
According to him, an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) was convened to reverse the earlier understanding.
“We were shocked when an emergency National Executive Council meeting was convened to overturn that agreement. We believe it is a wrong decision because it does not reflect the wishes of the majority of members,” he stated.
Olagunju argued that the NBA’s current electronic voting system, which relies largely on email authentication, remains susceptible to manipulation.
He noted that concerns about the integrity of NBA elections have persisted since 2018.
“There have been persistent complaints about manipulation of email addresses, voter profiles and one-time passwords during previous elections. We cannot continue to repeat the same mistakes,” he said.
He proposed that every lawyer’s registered phone number linked to a National Identification Number should be used for voter authentication instead of relying solely on email addresses.
According to him, adopting NIN-linked phone verification would significantly reduce the risk of electoral fraud and improve confidence in the outcome of the election.
The senior lawyer also accused the NBA leadership of failing to maintain neutrality during the election process, alleging that some aspirants had received preferential treatment.
He claimed that campaign materials bearing the image of a particular presidential candidate were openly distributed during previous National Executive Council meetings, creating doubts about the impartiality of the association’s leadership.
“As President of the NBA, you are expected to provide a level playing field for every aspirant. Unfortunately, actions taken so far have created doubts about the neutrality of the process,” he alleged.
Olagunju disclosed that Egbe Amofin Oodua had previously instituted legal proceedings challenging the composition of the NBA Electoral Committee, arguing that its appointments were inconsistent with the association’s constitution.
He said the Attorney-General of the Federation later intervened in an effort to broker an amicable resolution and encouraged reforms to improve the credibility of the election.
While commending the Attorney-General’s intervention, Olagunju lamented that the recommendations had allegedly not been implemented.
Among the reforms proposed are the adoption of NIN-linked phone numbers for voter verification, postponement of the election to allow adequate voter sensitisation and broader reforms to the NBA’s electoral framework.
Olagunju further alleged that although more than 250 members attended the emergency NEC meeting, 176 voted in favour of proceeding with the election, 15 voted against while many others abstained.
He argued that the outcome did not necessarily reflect the wishes of the broader membership.
“The silent majority should not be oppressed. Many members chose to abstain because they were uncomfortable with the process. What we seek is credibility, transparency and fairness,” he said.
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He warned that conducting the election without implementing the proposed reforms could further undermine confidence in the NBA’s electoral process.
“If we truly want an election that members will accept, then the reforms already agreed upon must be implemented before the poll is conducted,” he stated.
Olagunju stressed that the campaign was not intended to support any individual candidate but to safeguard the integrity of the legal profession.
“What we are fighting for is not for any individual aspirant. We are fighting for the soul of the Nigerian Bar Association. Whoever emerges as president will serve for only two years, but the credibility of our electoral process will remain with us for generations,” he added.
He urged members of the association to remain united in pursuing justice, transparency and institutional reforms, adding that Egbe Amofin Oodua would consult its members on the next course of action should the election proceed without the requested reforms.
