NBA Election 2026: “I Cannot Be Neutral, Even Tinubu Appointed INEC Chairman” – NBA President Defends Right to Back NBA Presidential Candidate
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has addressed concerns among members of the Association regarding his partisanship ahead of the July 2026 NBA presidential election, stating that he cannot remain neutral because he has a voting right.
Osigwe made the clarification at the quarterly National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NBA held in Maiduguri, Borno State, following a protest by a NEC member over the sharing of political branded items at the NEC meeting.
The protest arose after a NEC member objected to the distribution of bottle water at the meeting bearing the image and logo of Oyinkasola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, an aspirant for the office of NBA President who is widely believed to enjoy the support and endorsement of the NBA President.
In response, the NBA President maintained that no law, rule, or provision of the NBA Constitution prevents him from supporting any candidate of his choice and that exercising such support falls within his personal discretion as a voting member of the Association.
He further drew an analogy with national politics, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, yet is expected to contest the 2027 presidential election to be conducted by the commission headed by his appointee.
Despite affirming his right to political preference, Osigwe assured NEC members that his position would not compromise the integrity of the electoral process and pledged that the NBA’s forthcoming national election would be conducted freely, fairly, and transparently.
Following his remarks, the Chairman of Egbe Amofin Oodua, Aare Isiaka Olagunju, SAN, requested assurances that all aspirants would be given a level playing field. Osigwe agreed, clarifying that this commitment formed the basis of his assurance of a free and fair election.
Three senior lawyers are currently contesting for the office of NBA President: Yemi Akangbe, SAN, a former Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch; Oyinkasola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, who is alleged to be supported by the NBA President; and Aare Muyiwa Akinboro, SAN, a former General Secretary of the Association.
While there is no legal prohibition against an NBA President supporting a candidate, it has over time become an established tradition for incumbents to remain neutral in order to promote confidence and credibility in the Association’s electoral process.
