2026 NBA Elections: “This is Bribery…” -Ex-NBA 2nd Vice President, Clement Ugo Esq Condemns Muyiwa Akinboro SAN’s sponsorship of bags for NBA-NEC Members
*Compares it to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s gifts to Judges
The immediate past 2nd Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Clement Chukwuemeka Ugo Esq, popularly known as “Mr. Democrat,” has publicly criticized Aare Muyiwa Akinboro SAN, an alleged aspirant in the 2026 NBA presidential race, for providing branded bags to members of the NBA National Executive Council (NBA-NEC) at its meeting last week in Enugu.
The branded bags, distributed as part of meeting materials during the recent NBA-NEC meeting held at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, have sparked controversy within the legal community. Ugo took to Facebook to voice his concerns, labeling the gesture as “bribery in the form of souvenirs” and questioning its ethical implications.
A Gift or an Attempt to Influence?
Ugo expressed outrage over the timing and context of the gift, noting that NEC members, who received the branded bags, will play a pivotal role in screening and appointing the officials responsible for conducting the NBA elections in 2026. He suggested that the gesture could compromise the impartiality and credibility of the election process.
In his post tagged “Let us stop influencing NEC“, Ugo Esq wrote:
“All NEC members were given a bag each, sponsored by a contestant for NBA President in 2026. The same NEC will be responsible for the screening and appointing of those that will oversee the 2026 NBA election.” …………… “This is bribery in form of providing tools for legal practice”.
Ugo Esq not only condemned the act but also likened it to a controversial practice in Nigerian politics: the gifting of cars and houses to judges by Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister.
The comparison between Akinboro’s branded bags and Wike’s widely debated car and house donations has reignited concerns about the ethical standards in Nigeria’s legal and political systems.
Critics of Wike’s actions argue that providing such lavish gifts to judges creates a perception of undue influence over the judiciary, particularly in cases involving the FCT Minister. Similarly, Ugo suggested that Akinboro’s branded bags, while less extravagant, could also compromise the impartiality of NEC members tasked with ensuring a fair NBA election process.
Aare Muyiwa Akinboro SAN and “PROJECT BAR”
Aare Muyiwa Akinboro SAN, who is reportedly pursuing the NBA presidency in 2026 under a campaign program branded “PROJECT BAR”, has not issued an official response to the criticism by Ugo Esq.
His gesture of providing branded bags at the NEC meeting has been interpreted by critics as an attempt to curry favor among influential members of the NBA.
While supporters of Akinboro argue that providing branded items at such meetings is a longstanding tradition and part of legitimate campaign strategies, opponents like Ugo insist that such actions cross ethical boundaries, particularly in light of the NEC’s crucial role in NBA elections.
