By Embassy- Oseni Momodu , ESQ.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the foremost professional body of legal practitioners in Nigeria, has long projected itself as the conscience of the nation—championing the rule of law, constitutionalism, judicial independence and electoral integrity. Ironically, however, its own internal elections have increasingly become subjects of controversy, litigation, protests and allegations of irregularities.
The 2026 national election, which produced Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, as the NBA’s 33rd President-elect, was undoubtedly historic. Her emergence marks the first time a woman has attained the office through a direct election, an achievement that deserves commendation and celebration.
Yet, while history was made, the election also reopened familiar debates about the credibility of the NBA’s electoral process just like general elections in Nigeria.
Almost immediately after the declaration of results, several senior lawyers and other members of the Bar raised concerns over technical glitche, voter disenfranchisement and the integrity of the electronic voting platform. Some eligible lawyers complained that they were unable to cast their votes despite fulfilling the constitutional requirements to vote. Others questioned the transparency of the accreditation process and the management of the electronic voting platform.
One of the most prominent voices was former NBA Vice-President and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Monday Ubani. He lamented that an electoral process which prevented numerous qualified members from voting could hardly be described as wholly free, fair, credible and inclusive. While lamenting, he nonetheless urged the Association to undertake a comprehensive review of its electoral framework for future conduct.
Key presidential contestants including Chief Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN and Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN have also voiced their concerns. Their dissatisfactions clearly point to the conduct and outcome of the election on the 9th July.
Across several branches—leadership elections have periodically generated disagreements over membership registers, accreditation procedures, election management and post-election legitimacy.
Reports emerged last week in some NBA branches including in Port Harcourt where election timetable slated for Saturday (yesterday) had to be altered due to alleged disenfranchisement claims and that is utterly unpleasant for the noble profession which pride itself as learned fellows.
Comparatively, for many observers, the irony is difficult to ignore.
This persistent resistance should not be dismissed as mere dissatisfaction by electorate and unsuccessful candidates. Rather, it reflects a growing insistence among lawyers that the Association must hold itself to the same democratic standards it expects from public institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, government agencies and civil society groups.
The NBA, over the yesrs has consistently positioned itself as Nigeria’s foremost defender of constitutional democracy, electoral justice and the rule of law. Its members routinely challenge flawed elections, defend electoral rights before the courts and advocate reforms to strengthen democratic institutions. However, each electoral cycle appears to expose similar concerns within the Association itself.
Indeed, public confidence in the NBA is inseparable from confidence in its internal governance.
As the conscience of the legal profession, the Association frequently critiques the conduct of elections organised by political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). To sustain its moral authority, the NBA cannot therefore afford an electoral process that leaves a significant number of its own members questioning whether their votes really count or being counted.
The legal profession occupies a unique constitutional position in Nigeria. Lawyers draft legislation, prosecute election petitions, defend constitutional rights and hold governments accountable through the courts. That responsibility imposes an equally compelling obligation on the profession to uphold the highest standards of transparency within its own institutions.
However, no electoral system is perfect. But recurring complaints over successive election cycles indicate that the NBA must move beyond celebrating technological innovation, adaptation to ensuring technological reliability and institutional accountability.
Ultimately, the credibility of the Nigerian Bar Association is measured not only by the brilliance of its members or the prestige of its leadership but also by the integrity of the democratic processes through which that leadership emerges.
Untimely, the greatest victory for the Nigerian Bar Association will not merely be electing its first directly elected female President. It will be establishing an electoral system whose credibility is accepted by winners and losers alike—one that reflects the principles of fairness, transparency, accountability and the rule of law that the Association has always championed.
History has already recorded the emergence of the first female President of the Nigerian Bar Association. The greater challenge now is whether the Association will seize this historic moment to build an electoral system that inspires confidence, commands legitimacy and becomes a model for every democratic institution in Nigeria.
~Embassy-Oseni Momodu, ESQ.
LFP, B.A (Hons.), LL.B (Hons.), B.L, LL.M (in-view), MICIArb, MILA, Accr’d. Med.