NEWS RELEASE

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Electoral Reform Committee, chaired by Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, on Monday, 18th August 2025, formally presented its expanded electoral reform recommendations to the NBA President, Mr. Afam Osigwe, SAN, at the Association’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

The delegation included the Committee Secretary, Mr. Lawrence Ebewele, alongside members Victor Giwa, Mojirayo Ogunlana, and Christopher Areghan. The Co-Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Sam Itodo, was unavoidably absent due to another national assignment.

In his remarks, Dr. Ubani explained that the proposals were developed in response to long-standing concerns among members about the credibility, transparency, and inclusiveness of NBA elections. He stressed that the reforms are designed to rebuild trust, enhance participation, and set a new democratic standard for the Association.

Key highlights of the reform package include:

Strengthening the independence of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA).

Establishing a reliable and auditable digital voter register.

Deployment of secure, audited electronic voting infrastructure.

Early publication of timelines and consistent electoral guidelines.

Equal access to NBA-owned platforms for campaigns.

Creation of an independent Electoral Offences and Petitions Body.

Transparency in campaign financing and enforcement of a code of conduct.

Mandatory national and zonal debates.

Member sensitisation and digital literacy programs.

Effective collaboration with branches in monitoring elections.

Equal access to the voter database by all candidates at least 30 days before elections.

NBA President’s Response

Receiving the recommendations, Mazi Osigwe SAN commended the Committee for its diligent work and described the proposals as timely and progressive. He noted that some of the recommendations were already under consideration in the ongoing constitutional amendment process, particularly those relating to transparency and campaign finance regulation.

He further stated that candidates would be expected to express their interest early to ensure proper guidance through the electoral legal frameworks, thereby guaranteeing compliance with the ground rules.

The NBA President assured the Committee of the Association’s commitment to fair, credible, and transparent internal elections, which he said must reflect the same democratic standards that the NBA demands in Nigeria’s national elections.

On behalf of the Committee, Dr. Ubani expressed gratitude to the NBA President for the opportunity to serve and pledged the Committee’s continued support for the success of his administration. He emphasised that the reforms are intended to strengthen the NBA as a model of internal democracy.

The expanded proposals are regarded as one of the most comprehensive reform efforts yet to address challenges in NBA elections, and are expected to help shape the conduct of future elections within the Association.

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