NBA insists national elections will hold Saturday despite service provider row
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) says its 2026 national officers and general council of the bar (GCB) elections will hold as scheduled on Saturday, July 18, despite recent developments involving its election service provider.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the NBA said the resolution was reached at its virtual national executive council (NEC) meeting, where members unanimously reaffirmed the association’s commitment to constitutional governance, institutional independence, and its democratic processes.
It said the electoral committee of the NBA (ECNBA) told the council that preparations for the election are on course and that there is no operational or logistical basis for postponing the poll.
“NEC emphasized that no external interference or unforeseen circumstance would derail the electoral timetable approved by the Association, stressing that the credibility and integrity of the NBA’s democratic institutions must be protected at all times,” the statement reads.
It also condemned the arrest and detention of the managing director of the NBA’s election service provider by the Department of State Services (DSS), describing the development as deeply troubling.
The council said no action should be allowed to undermine the conduct of a free, fair, transparent and credible election.
The association, however, said the managing director was released from custody shortly after the emergency meeting, adding that the development would not affect the conduct of the Saturday’s election.
The NBA NEC called on eligible members of the bar to remain calm, participate peacefully in the election and continue to uphold the ideals of democracy and the independence of the legal profession.
The council also urged relevant authorities to respect the autonomy of the association and refrain from actions capable of interfering with its democratic processes.