NBA President Afam Osigwe Denies Backing Any Candidate Ahead of July 20 Election
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, has dismissed allegations that he is supporting any candidate or interfering in the association’s forthcoming national election.
Speaking during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, Osigwe insisted that he has no constitutional role in conducting the election and has not used his office to influence the process in favour of any aspirant.
According to him, the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) operates independently under the NBA Constitution and is solely responsible for organising the association’s national elections.
Addressing claims that he was attempting to install a preferred successor, Osigwe said whether he has personal preferences is irrelevant because his only role is to cast his vote like every other eligible member.
He explained that comments he previously made about not remaining “neutral” on election day were misunderstood. He clarified that he simply meant he would exercise his constitutional right to vote for candidates of his choice and not that he intended to campaign for or endorse anyone.
Osigwe challenged critics to provide evidence that he had prevented any candidate from campaigning or used his office to favour another aspirant, maintaining that no such actions had taken place.
The clarification comes amid growing debate within the NBA over its leadership election, with some lawyers alleging that the current president was attempting to influence the succession process. Osigwe firmly rejected those claims, stressing that the integrity of the electoral process remains intact.
NBA Rejects Claims of Election Interference
The NBA president also addressed reports suggesting that Lateef Fagbemi attempted to halt the association’s election.
He reiterated the NBA’s position that only the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) has the constitutional authority to postpone the election, while the ECNBA remains responsible for managing the process.
The NBA’s national election is scheduled for 20 July, when members will vote electronically to elect a new president, national officers, and representatives to the General Council of the Bar.
Osigwe Explains NBA’s Role in State Police Reform
During the interview, Osigwe also defended the NBA’s participation in the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, inaugurated by Bola Tinubu.
He said the association accepted the invitation because it has a responsibility to help develop laws that will strengthen Nigeria’s policing system while protecting citizens’ rights.
According to him, the NBA supports constructive engagement with the government on policies that promote the rule of law and improve national security.
Osigwe noted that although many Nigerians previously opposed the idea of state police due to fears of political abuse, worsening insecurity across the country has increased public support for decentralised policing.
He, however, stressed that any state police system must include strong constitutional safeguards to prevent abuse by state governments and ensure accountability.
The NBA president reaffirmed the association’s commitment to contributing legal expertise toward building a policing framework capable of improving security without undermining democratic rights.
NBA president denies using his office to back preferred candidate, clarifies association’s role in state police committee
