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.

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