NBA rejects FG move to stop 2026 officers’ election

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has firmly rejected reports suggesting a postponement of its 2026 National Officers’ Election. The association emphasized that it operates as an independent professional body and that only its National Executive Council possesses the constitutional authority to modify or suspend the electoral process. This stance comes in response to a document circulating with recommendations allegedly from a sub-committee and comments attributed to the Attorney General of the Federation.

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The Nigerian Bar Association believes that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation could not issue the said directive as it is entirely unconstitutional, ultra vires the powers of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, and an attempt to bring the Nigerian Bar Association under the control of the office of the Honourable Attorney General.

According to the NBA, these purported directives are unconstitutional and represent an overreach of the Attorney General's powers, aiming to bring the association under the control of his office. The alleged recommendations included disbanding the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, postponing the election, terminating the current election service provider, establishing a caretaker committee, incorporating the National Identification Number (NIN) into the voting process, and reviewing the NBA Constitution to eliminate universal suffrage.

The NBA maintains that external interference in its affairs is permissible only under limited circumstances as defined by Section 10(2) of the Legal Practitioners Act, none of which are currently applicable. The association also questioned the authenticity of the report, noting it was not issued on the official letterhead of the Attorney General's office nor formally communicated to the NBA. "For the record, the Nigerian Bar Association is an independent body not under the control of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation," the statement read.

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For the record, the Nigerian Bar Association is an independent body not under the control of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation.

The association's strong rebuttal underscores its commitment to maintaining its autonomy and ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process, free from undue governmental influence. The NBA is resolute in its position that its internal electoral matters are within its exclusive jurisdiction.

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We consider the report suspect as the report is not contained on the official letterhead of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation. The Nigerian Bar Association is not in receipt of any communication from the office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and cannot take it as the position of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation.