The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, has firmly denied allegations of backing a preferred candidate or interfering in the association's forthcoming national officers' election. In an interview on Channels Television's Politics Today programme on Wednesday, Osigwe stated that he has not interfered with the electoral process or used his office to favour any aspirant. He emphasized that the NBA constitution guarantees the independence of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), the independent body responsible for conducting the national elections.
Allegations of a Preferred Successor
Fielding questions on claims that he was backing a preferred successor, Osigwe noted, "I have absolutely nothing to do with the electoral process. So, whether I have a favourite or not is immaterial." He maintained that he has no constitutional role in conducting the election and therefore cannot influence its outcome. The upcoming NBA election has sparked controversy, with some lawyers and online reports alleging that Osigwe was attempting to influence the succession process by backing a preferred candidate, described as an attempt to secure a "third term by proxy" or entrench a "godfather system" within the association.
Clarifying Remarks on Voting
Rejecting the allegations, Osigwe explained that the controversy arose from remarks he made at an NBA meeting, where he said he would "not be neutral" on election day. He clarified that he was referring to his constitutional right to vote for candidates of his choice, not to endorse or campaign for any aspirant. "I said I was going to cast votes for people. Of course if I'm going to vote, that means I have to vote for people. I have to choose among the contending persons," he said. He challenged his critics to point to any action showing that he had used his office to influence the election. "The question anybody should ask is: Have I abused my office to make it difficult for any person to campaign? Or to aid another person? The answer is absolutely no." He added, "The NBA Constitution makes the ECNBA independent. I have not interfered with what they are doing. I have had nothing to do with them."
Rejection of AGF Directives
The interview came days after the NBA rejected claims that Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), sought to stop the association's election. Premium Times reported on Tuesday that the NBA rejected alleged directives attributed to the AGF seeking to postpone the election. The association said the alleged directives, contained in a document circulated online, purportedly sought the disbandment of the ECNBA, postponement of the election, replacement of the election service provider, appointment of a caretaker committee, introduction of National Identification Number verification for voters, and amendments to the NBA Constitution. However, the NBA maintained that only its National Executive Council (NEC) has the constitutional power to postpone the election. It also insisted that the ECNBA, an independent body, would continue with the electoral process as scheduled. The election is scheduled for 20 July, with eligible members voting electronically to elect a new president, other national officers, and the NBA's representatives on the General Council of the Bar.
NBA's Role in State Police Committee
Osigwe also explained why the NBA accepted membership of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill. He noted that the association has a responsibility to help develop legal safeguards for the proposed state police system. According to him, the NBA has "nothing against the government per se" but wants "a government that respects the rule of law and does the right thing." He said the NBA would "continue to engage the government on policies aimed at strengthening governance and national security." Osigwe stated that the association could not decline an opportunity to contribute to legislation designed to strengthen policing and address public concerns. "If in this process the NBA has been given an opportunity to contribute to drafting laws that will ensure that these fears are addressed, that will enact laws that will make a better policing system in Nigeria, the NBA cannot run away from that. We may criticise, but we should be willing to also constructively engage and contribute to building a better society."
Insecurity and State Police
Osigwe said there was initially "an aversion" to the creation of state police because many Nigerians feared state governors would abuse the system and turn state-controlled police into "an official tool of oppression." However, he said the country's worsening security situation had changed public opinion, with many Nigerians now supporting a decentralised policing structure. "But then, with the worsening state of insecurity in some parts of Nigeria, most Nigerians now agree that the national police system cannot work, that there is a need for a state police." He added that creating state police must go hand in hand with constitutional safeguards capable of preventing abuse. "In having it, to address the fears which in the first place made it difficult for us to have state police, we have to ensure that the right constitutional structures are put in place."
Renewed Momentum for State Police
Premium Times reported that the campaign for state police gained renewed momentum in recent years following persistent insecurity across the country, including banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and other violent crimes. Supporters argue that state police will improve intelligence gathering and strengthen community policing, while critics warn that governors could misuse state-controlled police forces to harass political opponents and suppress dissent. To address those concerns, the National Assembly recently passed the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026, which proposes a dual policing structure comprising the Federal Police Service and 36 State Police Services. While the constitutional amendment creates the framework for state police, the proposed National Policing Bill will provide the legal and operational framework for its implementation.
Inauguration of Presidential Working Group
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday inaugurated the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill to prepare the legislation needed to operationalise the reform. The committee includes the Attorney General of the Federation, the NBA president, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, the chairperson of the Nigeria Governors' Forum, and other stakeholders. At the inauguration, Osigwe pledged the NBA's support for the initiative, saying Nigeria "can hardly be effectively policed by one national police." He cautioned that "we must ensure we do not create a monster," stressing that the legal framework must guarantee accountability and prevent oppression. He also pledged the NBA's support in helping the committee produce legislation that balances improved security with the protection of citizens' rights.
