By Stephen Simon
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has rejected as unconstitutional and legally untenable alleged directives attributed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, seeking to postpone the association’s 2026 National Officers’ Election. The NBA insisted that only its National Executive Council (NEC) has the constitutional authority to alter the electoral timetable, maintaining that the election will proceed as scheduled.
In a statement issued by its President, Afam Osigwe, the association said its attention had been drawn to a purported report of a sub-committee and comments allegedly made by the AGF directing the disbandment of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), postponement of the election, replacement of the association’s election service provider, establishment of a caretaker committee, introduction of National Identification Number (NIN) verification for voters and a review of the NBA Constitution to abolish universal suffrage.
The NBA described the alleged directives as “entirely unconstitutional” and “ultra vires” the powers of the Attorney-General, arguing that neither the Constitution nor the Legal Practitioners Act empowers the AGF to interfere in the internal affairs of the association. It maintained that the Office of the Attorney-General lacks the legal authority to suspend or dictate the conduct of NBA elections.
The controversy stems from litigation instituted by members of Egbe Amofin O’odua before the Oyo State High Court challenging aspects of the forthcoming NBA election. The Attorney-General had convened a stakeholders’ meeting on June 11 in a bid to resolve the dispute, following which a sub-committee was constituted to facilitate the withdrawal of the pending suits. However, the NBA said the committee’s mandate did not include making binding decisions or issuing directives on the electoral process.
The association further questioned the authenticity of the purported report, noting that it was never officially communicated to the NBA and was not issued on the official letterhead of the Office of the Attorney-General. It also faulted suggestions to introduce NIN verification at this stage, saying a risk assessment had shown that altering the voting platform close to the election could jeopardise the integrity and smooth conduct of the exercise.
Reaffirming its commitment to due process, the NBA said all key stages of the electoral process, including candidate screening, publication of the final list of contestants and voter verification, had been substantially completed by the ECNBA. It stressed that any proposed changes to the election timetable or the association’s constitution can only be made through the mechanisms prescribed under the NBA Constitution.
The association reiterated that the 2026 National Officers’ Election will go ahead as scheduled, expressing confidence in the Electoral Committee’s preparations. It urged members of the Bar to disregard what it described as misleading reports and remain focused on participating in a free, fair and credible election in accordance with the NBA Constitution and established electoral guidelines.
