NBA President Afam Osigwe rejects allegations of candidate imposition and election manipulation, while Egbe Amofin Oodua demands postponement of the poll over transparency concerns and calls for NIN-based voter authentication.
By Amarachi Odenigbo
ABUJA, Nigeria – July 18, 2026
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential election has become the centre of an intense controversy, with allegations of attempted candidate imposition, concerns over the credibility of the electronic voting system, and calls for the postponement of the poll threatening to overshadow one of the legal profession’s most significant democratic exercises.
As lawyers across Nigeria prepare to elect a new president, NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) has sought to calm growing fears by announcing that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and independent foreign observers will monitor the election to safeguard its integrity.
However, the reassurance comes amid mounting pressure from Egbe Amofin Oodua, a prominent forum of Yoruba lawyers, which insists that the election should be postponed until agreed electoral reforms—including National Identification Number (NIN)-based voter authentication—are implemented.
The dispute has raised broader questions about transparency, institutional governance, electronic voting and democratic accountability within Nigeria’s foremost legal association.
NBA President Rejects Rigging Allegations
Addressing journalists ahead of the election, Osigwe dismissed allegations that the NBA leadership was attempting to influence the outcome of the poll or impose a preferred candidate.
He maintained that the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) operates independently under the NBA Constitution and does not receive directives from him or any other official of the association.
According to Osigwe, the deployment of DSS personnel and foreign observers is intended to provide independent oversight and strengthen confidence in the electoral process.
“The security agencies and foreign observers are coming as independent monitors who will provide objective reports on the conduct of the election,” he said.
He also stressed that he has no preferred candidate among the three contenders vying to succeed him.
Three Senior Advocates Contesting for NBA Presidency
The race to lead the NBA features three Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), all from Nigeria’s South-West geopolitical zone:
- Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN
- Lateef Omoyele, SAN
- Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, the only female candidate in the contest.
Osigwe said every candidate should be given a level playing field and warned against attempts by any interest group to manipulate the electoral process.
‘I Will Not Vote’ — Osigwe
In a move aimed at reinforcing public confidence in the election, Osigwe announced that he would abstain from voting.
According to him, the decision is intended to eliminate any perception of bias or undue influence.
“I will not vote in this election if that gives members comfort. I have never asked anyone to vote for a particular candidate. What I want is a seamless transition,” he stated.
He warned that allegations of rigging without credible evidence could damage the reputation of the NBA and undermine public confidence in one of Nigeria’s oldest professional associations.
Egbe Amofin Demands Election Postponement
Despite the assurances, the Egbe Amofin Oodua has insisted that the election should not proceed under the current framework.
Speaking in Ibadan, the Chairman of the group’s Governing Council, Isiaka Olagunju (SAN), accused the NBA leadership of reneging on agreements reached with stakeholders regarding electoral reforms.
According to Olagunju, there had been an understanding among stakeholders that the election would be postponed to allow the implementation of reforms capable of enhancing transparency and credibility.
“We are calling on the NBA President and the Electoral Committee to postpone this election to allow agreed reforms to be implemented,” he said.
Lawyers Advocate NIN-Based Voter Authentication
A major point of contention is the method of voter authentication.
Olagunju argued that the current electronic voting system, which relies primarily on email verification, remains susceptible to manipulation.
He proposed replacing email authentication with verification through National Identification Number (NIN)-linked telephone numbers, arguing that every Nigerian lawyer already possesses a registered phone number connected to the national identity database.
According to him, such a system would significantly reduce opportunities for:
- Identity manipulation;
- Unauthorized access;
- Alteration of voter profiles; and
- Abuse of one-time passwords (OTPs).
He noted that complaints surrounding electronic voting have persisted in NBA elections since 2018.
Questions Over Neutrality
The Yoruba Lawyers Forum also questioned the neutrality of the NBA leadership.
Olagunju alleged that campaign materials promoting one of the presidential candidates had been openly displayed during previous National Executive Council (NEC) meetings.
He argued that such developments created the perception that certain aspirants were receiving preferential treatment.
“The President of the NBA must provide a level playing field for all candidates,” he stated.
The allegations have been firmly denied by Osigwe.
Dispute Over Earlier Agreement
According to Egbe Amofin Oodua, discussions involving presidential candidates, stakeholders and senior members of the Bar had earlier produced a consensus to postpone the election and implement agreed reforms.
However, the group alleged that an emergency meeting of the NBA National Executive Council later resolved to proceed with the election.
Olagunju disclosed that:
- 176 members voted to continue with the election;
- 15 voted against;
- Several members abstained.
He argued that the outcome failed to reflect the views of the wider membership.
Attorney-General’s Mediation
The forum further revealed that the Attorney-General of the Federation had intervened in an effort to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders.
According to Olagunju, the Attorney-General encouraged reforms designed to improve the credibility of the election.
He, however, lamented that the recommendations had not been fully implemented before the poll.
Among the proposed reforms were:
- NIN-linked voter authentication;
- Enhanced voter education;
- Broader electoral reforms; and
- Postponement of the election.
Service Provider Arrest Raises Fresh Questions
The controversy surrounding the election deepened following reports that a service provider engaged for the electronic voting exercise was briefly detained.
Osigwe confirmed that the official had since been released but acknowledged that some electronic devices, including laptops, were seized.
The circumstances surrounding the incident have fuelled concerns among sections of the legal community regarding the integrity of the election infrastructure.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had not publicly explained the reason for the temporary detention.
Institutional Integrity at Stake
Legal analysts say the dispute extends beyond the emergence of a new NBA President.
According to governance experts, the credibility of the association’s electoral process has significant implications for public confidence in the legal profession.
They note that the NBA has historically positioned itself as an advocate of constitutional democracy, electoral integrity and the rule of law.
Consequently, observers argue that the association’s own electoral processes must reflect the democratic standards it consistently demands of public institutions.
Analysts also stress that transparent electronic voting, independent oversight and stakeholder confidence remain essential to preserving the credibility of professional associations.
With the NBA presidential election set to proceed under heightened scrutiny, the legal community finds itself confronting difficult questions about transparency, technology, institutional independence and internal democracy.
While the NBA leadership insists adequate safeguards—including monitoring by the DSS and foreign observers—have been put in place, critics maintain that unresolved concerns over voter authentication and electoral reforms risk undermining confidence in the process.
As lawyers cast their votes, stakeholders say the true test will not only be the emergence of a new NBA President but also whether the election strengthens or weakens public trust in one of Nigeria’s most influential professional institutions.
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