Election: Stakeholders doubt NBA president’s neutrality
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has been drawn into fresh controversy following a public admission by Afam Osigwe, SAN, that he has a preferred successor, a statement
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has been drawn into fresh controversy following a public admission by Afam Osigwe, SAN, that he has a preferred successor, a statement critics say compromises the neutrality expected of the office as the Association heads toward a crucial election season.
Osigwe’s comments were made during a recent meeting of the NBA National Executive Council (NEC), where he acknowledged that neutrality in the succession process is not absolute.
The remarks have since gained wider attention after videos from the same meeting circulated on social media, showing bottled water branded with the image of a particular aspirant placed on the President’s table, clearly visible to attendees and cameras.
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Legal analysts and senior members of the Bar say the convergence of words and conduct has amplified concerns about partisanship at the highest level of the Association.
The NBA Constitution and the Rules of Professional Conduct emphasise restraint, fairness, and impartiality, particularly in matters affecting elections and leadership succession.
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Critics argue that publicly declaring preference and appearing to endorse a candidate through symbolic acts, undermines those standards and risks eroding confidence in the integrity of the forthcoming NBA elections.
The controversy has also sparked debate about the broader implications for the Bar’s public role. The NBA is widely regarded as a key voice in holding the government accountable, especially as Nigeria approaches another election cycle. Observers warn that perceptions of internal bias could weaken the Association’s moral authority and its capacity to intervene credibly on national issues.
As the NBA election draws nearer, the focus within legal circles is shifting from personalities to process. The central question now being asked is whether an electoral process overseen by a President who has openly expressed and visibly signalled preference can still command the confidence of the Association’s membership.
