Yoruba lawyers under the aegis of Egbe Amofin Oodua have called for the postponement of the Nigerian Bar Association’s national election by a minimum of seven days over claims that the extension would give room for proper voter sensitisation and ensure a more credible electoral process.
During a press conference on Thursday at the Aare Afe Babalola Bar Centre in Iyaganku, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, Chief Isiaka Olagunju, SAN, the chairman of the Governing Council of Egbe Amofin Oodua, revealed this information to reporters.
According to Olagunju, the group was calling for the implementation of the National Identification Number, full adherence to the agreed-upon electoral reforms, equal opportunities for all candidates, and the use of registered members’ phone numbers for voter verification.
Olagunju, a former general secretary of the NBA, alleged that the NBA leadership abandoned an agreement reached at a meeting involving the association’s presidential candidates and other key stakeholders to postpone Saturday’s election in order to implement electoral reforms.
He claims that replacing the existing email-based voter authentication system with phone numbers connected to members’ National Identification Numbers was one of the significant modifications decided upon.
He contended that holding the election without putting the reforms into place had increased members’ doubts about the process’s legitimacy.
“We are calling on the president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe (SAN), and the Electoral Committee of the NBA to postpone this election.
“The earlier agreement reached with the presidential candidates was that the election would be postponed to allow for necessary reforms and proper sensitisation of members,” Olagunju said.
Expressing disappointment over the NBA leadership’s decision, he disclosed that an emergency National Executive Council meeting was convened to reverse the earlier consensus.
“We were shocked when an emergency National Executive Council meeting was convened to overturn that agreement. We believe it is a wrong decision because it does not reflect the wishes of the majority of members,” he said.
The senior advocate stressed that the current electronic voting system, which relies largely on email authentication, remains susceptible to manipulation.
“There have been persistent complaints about manipulation of email addresses, voter profiles and one-time passwords during previous elections. We cannot continue to repeat the same mistakes.
“What we are asking for is simple. Every lawyer has a registered phone number linked to a National Identification Number. Those should be adopted for authentication instead of relying solely on email addresses,” he said.
The use of NIN-linked phone numbers, he continued, would greatly lower the possibility of electoral fraud and increase the election’s legitimacy.
Additionally, Olagunju claimed that certain candidates had received preferential treatment and accused the NBA national leadership of failing to remain impartial during the election process.
He asserted that during earlier NEC sessions, campaign materials with the picture of a specific presidential candidate were freely distributed.
Olagunju also revealed that Egbe Amofin Oodua had previously filed a lawsuit contesting the NBA Electoral Committee’s makeup on the grounds that its appointments violated the association’s constitution.
He pointed out that the agreed-upon measures had not yet been put into effect, despite the attorney-general of the Federation later stepping in to try to assist an amicable resolution.
“We sincerely appreciate the intervention of the attorney-general of the Federation. He has done his best to encourage dialogue and proposed reforms that would strengthen the electoral process,” he said.
The use of NIN-linked phone numbers for voter verification, postponing the election to allow for sufficient voter sensitisation, and more extensive electoral reforms targeted at improving the integrity of upcoming NBA elections were among the measures put forth by Olagunju.
Additionally, he said that while over 250 lawyers attended the emergency NEC meeting, 176 of them voted in favour of holding the election, 15 opposed it, and the remaining members abstained.
According to him, the outcome did not reflect the wishes of the majority of the lawyers.
“The silent majority should not be oppressed. Many members chose to abstain because they were uncomfortable with the process. What we seek is credibility, transparency and fairness,” he stated.
Olagunju issued a warning that conducting the election without implementing the agreed reforms could further erode confidence in the NBA’s electoral system.
“If we truly want an election that members will accept, then the reforms already agreed upon must be implemented before the poll is conducted,” he said.
Also, he stressed that the campaign for electoral reforms was not in support of any particular candidate but aimed at protecting the integrity of the legal profession.
“What we are fighting for is not for any individual aspirant. We are fighting for the soul of the Nigerian Bar Association. Whoever emerges as president will serve for only two years, but the credibility of our electoral process will remain with us for generations,” he added.
He exhorted the lawyers to continue being together and unwavering in their quest for institutional improvements, fairness, and openness.
“Our members should remain resolute. They should stand for justice, transparency and fairness. We must protect the integrity of the NBA and ensure that future elections inspire confidence among all members,” Olagunju said.
He also stated that the Yoruba Lawyers Forum would consult its members on the next line of action should the election proceed without the requested reforms.
