The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, has said that the July 18 national election of the NBA would be adequately monitored by the Department of State Services (DSS) and foreign observers to safeguard the integrity of the poll.

Osigwe said that the security operatives and foreign observers were being engaged as independent parties who would provide objective reports and information at the conclusion of the election.

He also dismissed fears of rigging expressed by a section of members of the association and assured that the process and the election itself would be free and fair.

The NBA president explained that contrary to allegations of candidate imposition against him, he has no special interest in any of the three candidates jostling to succeed him.

The three candidates are Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, Lateef Omoyele, SAN, and the only female candidate, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, all of whom hail from the South-West geopolitical zone.

Osigwe, however, vowed not to allow the imposition of any particular candidate or succumb to blackmail or reputation-damaging tactics during the election.

He noted that a particular group known as “Egbe Amofin” had been making concerted efforts to impose a particular candidate on the NBA contrary to the association’s constitution.

He said that the NBA as a body would not object if one or two of the candidates stepped down for one another on their own volition, but would not succumb to blocking the aspiration of any individual to favour any candidate, as being canvassed by the Egbe Amofin group of the South West.

Contrary to insinuation, Osigwe said he is absolutely committed to a free and fair election that would produce a president commanding respect not only from lawyers but from all Nigerians.

He dismissed the accusation that he was interfering with the electoral process, noting that the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) is an independent committee that does not take instructions from him or anybody, in line with the NBA constitution.

To further allay fears of possible rigging, Osigwe said he has opted not to vote for any of the candidates.

Insisting that anybody who wins the election deserves to win, the president appealed to those opposing the election to stop playing politics, adding that no one would condone rigging.

“In this election, I would want them to hold me responsible and accountable. We will ensure that this election is the most credible in the history of the NBA,” Osigwe said.

“I urge those criticising the process to let democracy thrive. It is absurd to accuse me of imposing a candidate when the Egbe Amofin is openly imposing a particular candidate. It is not logical.”

“I will not vote in that election if that would give them comfort. I have never asked or forced anybody to vote for any particular candidate because all I want is a seamless transition.”

“All the allegations of rigging are aimed at damaging the NBA’s reputation, diminishing the NBA, and there should be no room for emotion, blackmail, wild allegations or rumour because all we want is a President that would command the respect of Nigerians,” the president added.

He confirmed the arrest of a service provider engaged for the election but disclosed that the person in charge had been released, though some of his laptops were seized.

Osigwe’s comments come amid concerns raised by a forum of Yoruba lawyers, under the aegis of Egbe Amofin Oodua, which has called for the postponement of the forthcoming presidential election, citing concerns over the transparency and credibility of the electoral process.

The group said delaying the election would allow the implementation of agreed electoral reforms capable of guaranteeing 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 earlier reached with stakeholders on reforms aimed at improving the integrity of the election.

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 ignored an agreement reached at a meeting involving presidential candidates and key stakeholders to postpone Saturday’s election and introduce reforms, including the use of members’ National Identification Number (NIN)-linked phone numbers for voting instead of email authentication.

According to him, the decision to proceed with the election has heightened concerns among members over the credibility of the electoral 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 insisted on proceeding with the election despite objections from several stakeholders.

“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.

The senior lawyer argued that the current electronic voting system, which relies largely on email authentication, remains vulnerable to manipulation.

According to him, complaints 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.

“What we are asking for is simple. Every lawyer has a registered phone number linked to a National Identification Number. Those should be adopted for authentication instead of relying solely on email addresses,” he said.

He maintained that adopting NIN-linked phone numbers would strengthen the credibility of the election and minimise the risk of electoral fraud.

Olagunju also accused the NBA leadership of allegedly failing to maintain neutrality in the electoral process, alleging that some aspirants were being given preferential treatment.

He claimed that campaign materials bearing the image of a particular presidential candidate were openly distributed during previous National Executive Council meetings.

“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.

The former OYSIEC chairman further disclosed that Egbe Amofin Oodua had earlier instituted legal action challenging the composition of the NBA Electoral Committee, arguing that the appointments did not comply with the association’s constitution.

He noted that although the Attorney-General of the Federation later intervened in an attempt to facilitate an amicable resolution, the agreed reforms had yet to be implemented.

“We sincerely appreciate the intervention of the Attorney-General of the Federation. He has done his best to encourage dialogue and proposed reforms that would strengthen the electoral process,” he said.

Olagunju, however, lamented that the recommendations were allegedly being ignored.

Among the reforms proposed, he listed the use of NIN-linked phone numbers for voter verification, postponement of the election to allow adequate voter sensitisation and broader electoral reforms.

He 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 the remaining members abstained.

According to him, the outcome did not reflect the true wishes of the majority.

“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 stated.

Olagunju warned that conducting the election without implementing the agreed reforms could further erode confidence in the NBA’s electoral system.

“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 said.

He stressed that the campaign was not about supporting any particular candidate but about protecting 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.

Olagunju urged members of the association to remain united and steadfast in their pursuit of justice and institutional reforms.

“Our members should remain resolute. They should stand for justice, transparency and fairness. We must protect the integrity of the NBA and ensure that future elections inspire confidence among all members,” he said.

He added that the Yoruba Lawyers Forum would consult its members on the next line of action should the election proceed without the requested reforms.