Amid growing controversy over the Nigerian Bar Association’s forthcoming national elections, NBA President Afam Osigwe has denied backing any candidate or interfering in the electoral process.
Speaking during a televised interview on Wednesday, Osigwe said he had not used his office to favour any aspirant, stressing that the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association is constitutionally independent.
Responding to allegations that he was supporting a preferred successor, Osigwe said he had “absolutely nothing to do with the electoral process” and no constitutional role in determining its outcome.
He explained that comments he made about not being “neutral” on election day referred only to his right to vote, not to endorse or campaign for any candidate.
“The NBA Constitution makes the ECNBA independent. I have not interfered with what they are doing, he said.
Osigwe also defended the NBA’s decision to join the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, saying the association has a duty to help shape legal safeguards for the proposed state police system.
He noted that while many Nigerians initially opposed state police over fears of abuse by state governors, worsening insecurity has strengthened support for decentralised policing.
However, he stressed that any state police framework must include constitutional safeguards to prevent abuse, ensure accountability and protect citizens’ rights.
