The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has rejected a purported directive allegedly issued by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation seeking to postpone the 2026 NBA National Officers’ Election, disband the Electoral Committee, and set up a caretaker committee.
In a statement made available to newsmen, the NBA said the directive is “entirely unconstitutional, ultra vires the powers of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation,” and amounts to an attempt to bring the NBA under the control of the office of the AGF.
According to the document in circulation, the AGF allegedly ordered:
1. The disbandment of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, ECNBA, and postponement of the election of National Officers
2. Termination of the appointment of the current service provider on grounds that he is a sole proprietor and appointment of a new service provider
3. Setting up of a caretaker committee to conduct elections of national officers
4. Incorporation of NIN in the data of voters for the NBA Election
5. “Recalibration” of the NBA Constitution to remove universal suffrage
The NBA maintained that it is an independent body not under the control of the AGF. It cited Section 10(2) of the Legal Practitioners Act, stating that the only circumstances under which an external body can interfere in NBA affairs have not occurred.
The association further argued that the purported directives are identical to reliefs sought in two suits filed by Egbe Amofin and pending at the High Court of Oyo State. It noted that the AGF, acting as convener of a mediation meeting or as Chief Law Officer, cannot grant such reliefs.
” The Honourable Attorney General is at best a party/mediator, and it is settled that a mediator does not give directives to the parties in a matter in which he is a party,” the statement read.
The NBA said Past Presidents in attendance at a meeting of 11 June 2026, except Chief Wole Olanipekun, described the Egbe Amofin suits as frivolous and resolved that they should be withdrawn.
It added that the Sub-Committee set up was mandated “ONLY to liaise with the contending parties for the purpose of overseeing the withdrawal of the actions” and was not empowered to conduct an inquest into the conduct of the NBA President or make far-reaching condemnations.
The NBA also faulted the Sub-Committee for relying on memos submitted by some candidates without giving the President an opportunity to respond, saying this violated the constitutional right to fair hearing.
The association concluded that the resolution of the 11 June 2026 meeting was for the Sub-Committee to report back to the entire body at a reconvened meeting. It stated that attendees of that meeting were not availed copies of the purported report, and that any direction from it would violate both the Legal Practitioners Act and the NBA Constitution.
The NBA stressed that “ONLY THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE NBA CAN DIRECT THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE 2026 NBA NATIONAL OFFICERS’ ELECTION.”
NBA Rejects AGF’s Purported Directive on 2026 Elections, Says Only NEC Can Postpone Poll
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