NBA president denies rigging claims, says poll process independent

Afam Osigwe, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has refuted claims that he is attempting to rig or influence the upcoming national officers' election. He asserted that the Electoral Committee functions independently and does not receive directives from him.

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I am as committed as every person to see that we have a free and fair and transparent election. So that whoever loses, we know that he or she lost. And whoever wins, we know that he or she deserves to win.

Osigwe addressed journalists in Abuja, characterizing the allegations of his support for a particular candidate as politically motivated and lacking evidence. "I am as committed as every person to see that we have a free and fair and transparent election. So that whoever loses, we know that he or she lost. And whoever wins, we know that he or she deserves to win," he stated.

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I hear people say things like everybody knows the NBA election has always been rigged. All the elections that were challenged in court were dismissed.

The NBA president's remarks come amid weeks of controversy surrounding the July 18 election. Some presidential candidates and stakeholders have questioned the process's integrity, called for postponements, demanded National Identification Number verification, and accused the NBA leadership of attempting to sway the outcome. The association has consistently denied these allegations, emphasizing the Electoral Committee's constitutional authority.

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If courts have dismissed their matter, if you have alleged rigging and you could not prove it and the court dismisses it, then there was no rigging in law.

Osigwe also challenged critics who claim NBA elections are routinely rigged, noting that all previous election challenges brought before courts have been dismissed. "If courts have dismissed their matter, if you have alleged rigging and you could not prove it and the court dismisses it, then there was no rigging in law," he argued. He further stated that his personal voting preference would not impact the election's administration, as he is not involved in the process. To reassure members concerned about his neutrality, Osigwe announced he would abstain from voting, despite being constitutionally entitled to do so.

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Assuming without conceding that I have a preferred candidate, what has it got to do with the price of coffee? I’m not the one conducting the election. I have nothing to do with the process. The process is independent.