ABUJA — The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has disclosed that the Department of State Services, DSS, and foreign observers will monitor the association’s national election scheduled for July 18 (today) to safeguard the credibility and integrity of the poll.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Osigwe said the involvement of security agencies and independent foreign observers was aimed at ensuring transparency and providing objective reports on the conduct of the election.
He dismissed allegations of planned rigging raised by some members of the association, insisting that the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, ECNBA, would conduct a free, fair and credible election.
Osigwe also denied claims that he was backing or attempting to impose any of the three presidential candidates contesting to succeed him, stressing that he has no preferred candidate.
The contenders are Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN; Lateef Akangbe Omoyele, SAN; and Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, the only female candidate in the race. All three are from the South-West geopolitical zone.
The NBA president vowed not to allow the imposition of any candidate or succumb to intimidation, blackmail or attempts to tarnish the association’s reputation.
He accused the Egbe Amofin group of attempting to pressure the association into endorsing a particular candidate, describing such efforts as inconsistent with the NBA Constitution.
According to him, while the association would not oppose any voluntary political alliance among candidates, it would resist any attempt to coerce candidates into stepping down in favour of another aspirant.
Osigwe maintained that the ECNBA operates independently and does not take directives from him or any other individual, as provided under the NBA Constitution.
To further dispel concerns about possible bias, he disclosed that he would abstain from voting in the election.
“I want Nigerians and members of the Bar to hold me accountable for this election. We will ensure that this is the most credible election in the history of the NBA,” he said.
He urged critics of the electoral process to allow democracy to take its course rather than undermine the association with what he described as baseless allegations.
“It is absurd to accuse me of imposing a candidate when those making the allegation are openly backing a particular candidate. I have never directed or pressured anyone to vote for any candidate. My only interest is a seamless transition,” he said.
Osigwe warned that allegations of rigging without evidence were capable of damaging the image and credibility of the NBA, stressing that the association remained committed to producing a president who would command the confidence and respect of lawyers and the wider Nigerian public.
He also confirmed that a service provider engaged for the election was arrested by security operatives, but disclosed that the individual had since been released, although some laptops used for the election process remained in the custody of the authorities.
NBA election: DSS, foreign observers to monitor poll as Osigwe denies backing any candidate
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