Concerns over the credibility of the forthcoming national elections of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) heightened on Wednesday following allegations of partisanship against the association’s leadership at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The concerns were raised by the Egbe Amofin Oodua, which accused the current NBA administration, led by its President, Afam Osigwe, of openly exhibiting bias in favour of a presidential aspirant ahead of the elections.
Speaking at the NEC meeting, the Secretary of the Governing Council of Egbe Amofin Oodua, Mr. Adetunji Osho, SAN, drew the attention of council members to what he described as “a clear and troubling display of partisanship” by some NBA officials during official activities.

According to him, campaign materials allegedly promoting the candidature of Mrs. Oyinkan Badejo-Okunsanya, SAN, were openly distributed at the meeting venue. He cited the circulation of branded souvenirs and bottled water bearing the aspirant’s image and logo, some of which were reportedly placed on the President’s table during the meeting.

Mr. Osho noted that such actions, if unchecked, could undermine the long-standing tradition of institutional neutrality expected of the NBA leadership, particularly during election periods.

Responding to the concerns on the floor of the council, the NBA President reportedly told NEC members that he could not claim neutrality, openly admitting that he had a preferred candidate and was unapologetic about his position.
The declaration, according to members of the forum, has deepened apprehension within the association, especially regarding the integrity of the electoral process and the credibility of the leadership overseeing it.

Egbe Amofin Oodua warned that an election conducted under an administration that has openly declared partisan preferences risks eroding confidence in the fairness, transparency, and integrity of the process, particularly in relation to the supervision of elections and the constitution of the Electoral Committee.

The forum therefore called on the NBA leadership to urgently recommit itself to neutrality, transparency, and due process in order to safeguard the association’s reputation as a leading democratic institution guided by the rule of law.