On the 20th day of July, 2024, the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association-herein after referred to as ECNBA- conducted an electoral process to usher in a newly elected President of the Association and other elected office holders, by means of an ‘E-voting system’ process. All eligible electorates/members and contestants were pre-informed of their voting rights and criteria for eligibility.

During this process, three (3) contestants/candidates contested for the position of the President of the Association namely: Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN); Tobenna Erojikwe; and Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN). At the poll, Mazi Afam Osigwe secured 20,435, votes; Erojikwe secured 10,998; and Ikwuazom (SAN) secured 9,018 votes. Therefore, Mazi Afam Osigwe was returned as the President-Elect of the Association for the 2024-2026 administration to be duly sworn-in as the 32nd President of the Association at the Annual General Meeting of the Association to be held during its 2024 Annual General Conference, 2024, in Lagos, between 23rd and 28th August, 2024. I am of the firm view that considering the entire process, the electoral process constituted an example of a: free; fair; transparent and credible electoral process that even the electoral institution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (and elsewhere in the globe) should try and emulate such standards of electoral process. Hence, this paper.

I must first of all observe that all the Presidential aspirants i.e. the trio, are from the Eastern Zone of the NBA. Also, the trio are Chairmen of Committees under the present outgoing President of the Association (though still the current President) Yakubu Maikyau (SAN): While Afam (SAN) is the current Chairman of the Legal Practitioners’ Remuneration Committee, Erojikwe is the current Chairman of the NBA-Institute of Continuing Legal Education Governing Council, and Ikwuazon is the Chairman of the NBA-Security Agency Relation Committee. So, in my humble view, this fact does not show preference by the present President Maikyau (SAN) of one of the candidates over the other thereby influencing the electoral process. The other offices contested for were: 1st Vice-President; 2nd Vice-President; 3rd Vice-President; General Secretary; Assistant General-Secretary; Treasurer; Welfare Secretary; Publicity Secretary; Assistant Publicity Secretary; NBA Representatives to the General Council of the Bar (Eastern Zone); NBA Representatives to the General Council of the Bar (Northern Zone); and NBA Representatives to the General Council of the Bar (Western Zone). Each of these contested offices have their votes cast for each of the candidates therein.

Furthermore, on the aspect of ‘credibility’ in the electoral process, I wish to explain this by means of definition of what ‘credibility’ has been defined to mean at https://openelectiondata.net/en/guide/electoral-integrity/creidible-election as follows:

‘What are credible elections?

Credible elections are characterized by: inclusiveness; transparency; accountability; and competitiveness.

Inclusive Elections : provide equal opportunities for all eligible citizens to participate as voters in selecting their representatives and as candidates for election to government. This right to participate is a broad concept and can only be subject to reasonable restrictions that are provided by law. Authorities must take steps to assess and remove any barriers to the participation of all citizens. This includes removing barriers for traditionally marginalized populations such as ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities; women, youth or elderly citizens; and persons with disabilities. Reasonable restrictions on participation should be narrow, like a minimum age for voting and standing as an electoral contestant.

Elections Are Transparent : When each step is open to scrutiny, and stakeholders can independently verify whether the process is conducted honestly and accurately. The principle of transparency is linked to the fundamental right of citizens to seek, receive and impart information (which are elements of the freedom of expression), as well as the right to take part in government and public affairs. Decision making processes must be open to scrutiny, and reasonable opportunities for public input should be provided. Information relating to all stages of the electoral cycle must be made available and accessible to citizens, including voters and candidates. Nonpartisan and partisan observers should be accredited to observe all phases of the election process and be permitted to comment publicly on the process free from unreasonable restriction.

Accountability In Elections : Refers to the rights of citizens with respect to the conduct of other electoral stakeholders, including the government, election management bodies (EMBs), political parties, candidates and security forces. Elections are a key mechanism through which citizens hold their governments accountable, but there must also be accountability within election processes themselves. There must be effective remedies in place for violations of citizens’ election-related rights. There must also be administrative accountability for those organizing elections and those conducting governmental activities related to elections. In addition, there must be timely procedures to bring to account those who conduct criminal acts that affect electoral-related rights.

Elections Are Competitive : When citizens have reasonable and equitable opportunities to compete to be elected to governmental offices. Political competition is a central component of elections that truly reflect the will of the people. The principle of competitiveness relates to aspects of the election throughout the electoral cycle. The legal framework must allow citizens to come together and register political parties to represent their interests, and provide access to spots on the ballot for parties and/or candidates. Parties and candidates must be able to campaign and voters to cast their ballots free from illegal influence, intimidation or violence.’

I must therefore say that the 2024 NBA-Electoral Process which ushered in the President-Elect and In-coming President of the NBA and all other electoral candidates in the elections passed the above litmus test to be graded by me to be nothing less than ‘CREDIBLE’ elections in the electoral process.

Finally, I therefore admonish and appeal to all disputants disputing the results of the elections and the electoral process to eschew such dispute and give room for peace, cooperation and to form associate ship with the President-Elect for the progress, unity and preservation of the global integrity of the Association which all of them belong to. There are, nevertheless, opportunities in future for the fulfilment of such an electoral aspiration by the losing candidate, God willing!

I therefore wish to congratulate the ECNBA for a job-well-done! I congratulate Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) on the victory! I congratulate all other Elected-Office Holders! I finally congratulate the NBA for the success of the elections!

God bless the NBA! God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!