BY EMEKA NWADIOKE

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has warned presidential candidates against participating in an “interactive session” scheduled for today by a The Platform Nigeria, saying the programme “does not meet with the approval of the ECNBA.”

In an email obtained by CITY LAWYER, the electoral body cited its earlier statement on the matter as well as provisions of the NBA Constitution (as amended), saying: “For the avoidance of doubt and as previously communicated to the Presidential Candidates, the proposed advertised interactive session for NBA Presidential Candidates organized by The Platform Nigeria, scheduled to hold on Sunday 19th July 2020, does not meet with the approval of the ECNBA.”

A source familiar with the operations of the electoral committee told CITY LAWYER yesterday that the committee had decided to deal decisively with the recurring issue of campaign debates, saying: “The committee will take a step to stop the recurrence of these issues. They are already working on something.”

CITY LAWYER had in its report noted the anxiety among Bar Leaders over the proposed interactive session, even as there were feelers that at least one of the presidential candidates had opted to shun the programme.

Below is the full text of the ECNBA email.

Dear Sir/Madam,

It has come to the attention of the ECNBA that Candidates in the NBA National Elections have been engaged in various forms of electioneering campaigns without regard to the provisions of the NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended) and the guidelines set out by the ECNBA.

We would like to draw your attention to the provisions of the NBA Constitution, the ECNBA Election Guidelines and ECNBA Statement No. 014 which clearly prohibit any form of campaign, save for that which is provided for in the Constitution.

For the avoidance of doubt and as previously communicated to the Presidential Candidates, the proposed advertised interactive session for NBA Presidential Candidates organized by The Platform Nigeria, scheduled to hold on Sunday 19th July 2020, does not meet with the approval of the ECNBA.

We count on your usual understanding and cooperation as we strive to carry out a respectable and responsible electoral exercise for our dear profession.

Accept the professional regards of the ECNBA.

Cordelia U. Eke
Secretary

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