NEWS RELEASE

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) today 4th of February, 2026 participated in a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at its Headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting brought together key electoral stakeholders, including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), government officials, and senior officers of INEC, to deliberate on measures aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process and democratic institutions.

Representing the NBA at the engagement, Dr. Monday O. Ubani, SAN, Chairman of NBA Electoral Reform Committee, delivered interventions on critical issues bordering on electoral integrity, institutional courage, and the urgent need for reforms within the electoral and judicial frameworks.

In his first submission, Dr. Ubani underscored the importance of patriotism, integrity, and national consciousness among INEC officials and electoral personnel. He stressed that the credibility of elections depends largely on the ethical disposition of those entrusted with managing the process.

He urged electoral officers to emulate the culture of national service obtainable in countries such as China and India, where citizens place the interest of the nation above personal gain. He expressed concern over the ease with which some officials compromise their responsibilities due to monetary inducement, thereby undermining the will of the Nigerian people.

Dr. Ubani cited an incident from the 2023 General Elections where an electoral officer allegedly accepted a sum of ₦4 million from a political party with the intention of manipulating election results. The attempt, however, failed due to the vigilance of party agents and security personnel, leading to the exposure and disgrace of the officer involved. He noted that such occurrences highlight the urgent need for continuous value reorientation, accountability mechanisms, and strict enforcement of electoral ethics.

In his second intervention, Dr. Ubani called on INEC to demonstrate greater boldness and timeliness in taking administrative decisions in the national interest, especially in politically sensitive matters.
He referenced the Labour Party leadership dispute, which had been resolved by the Supreme Court, yet took several months before INEC took the appropriate administrative position. According to him, delays of this nature create uncertainty, weaken public confidence, and may fuel political instability.

Responding to the concerns raised, the Chairman of INEC explained that the Commission’s delayed action in the Labour Party matter was largely due to multiple ex parte and interlocutory injunctions obtained through forum shopping by factions within the party.

The Chairman appealed to the NBA to support efforts aimed at addressing the growing challenge of forum shopping by legal practitioners acting for political clients, as well as the indiscriminate issuance of ex parte orders by some judges. He emphasized that urgent reforms are required to prevent such practices from obstructing electoral administration and democratic governance.

The meeting was widely acknowledged as productive and constructive. INEC provided stakeholders with updates on its ongoing activities, including preparations for off-cycle elections and the roadmap toward the forthcoming general election.

The INEC Chairman also called on the National Assembly to ensure that the legal framework governing the next general election is clearly established and communicated to Nigerians well ahead of time, so that the Commission can release an accurate and comprehensive timetable promptly.

The Nigerian Bar Association reiterates its commitment to supporting INEC and all relevant stakeholders in building an electoral system anchored on integrity, transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.

The NBA remains steadfast in its resolve to promote reforms that will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and ensure that the will of the people is protected at all times.

Signed:
Dr. M. O. Ubani, SAN
Chairman NBA Electoral Reform Committee.

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