NBA president denies using his office to back preferred candidate, clarifies association’s role in state police committee

Afam Osigwe, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has firmly denied allegations of using his position to back a preferred candidate or interfere in the association's upcoming national officers' election. Osigwe stated that he has had "absolutely nothing to do with the electoral process" and that his personal preferences are therefore immaterial.

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So, whether I have a favourite or not is immaterial.

He emphasized that the NBA constitution establishes the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) as an independent body responsible for conducting national elections. Osigwe maintains he has no constitutional role in the election's management and thus cannot influence its outcome. He challenged critics to provide any evidence of him abusing his office to hinder any candidate's campaign or aid another.

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I said I was going to cast votes for people. Of course if I’m going to vote; that means I have to vote for people. I have to choose among the contending persons.

The controversy reportedly stems from remarks Osigwe made at an NBA meeting, where he stated he would "not be neutral" on election day. He clarified that this referred to his constitutional right to cast a vote for candidates of his choice, not an endorsement or campaign effort. "Of course if I’m going to vote; that means I have to vote for people. I have to choose among the contending persons," he explained.

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The question anybody should ask is: Have I abused my office to make it difficult for any person to campaign? Or to aid another person? The answer is absolutely no.

These clarifications come amid controversy surrounding the election, with some lawyers and online reports alleging Osigwe was attempting to influence the succession process, seeking a "third term by proxy" or entrenching a "godfather system." The NBA also recently rejected claims that the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, had sought to stop the election, refuting alleged directives to disband the ECNBA and postpone the polls.

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The NBA Constitution makes the ECNBA independent. I have not interfered with what they are doing. I have had nothing to do with them.