The “Candidates’ Debate and Manifesto Day” hosted by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) at NBA HOUSE witnessed the conspicuous absence of one of the presidential candidates, Mr. Olumuyiwa Akinboro SAN.

Though another presidential candidate, Mr. Omoyemi Akangbe SAN had threatened to boycott the session due to some alleged anomalies, he however turned up for the debate alongside another presidential candidate, Mrs. Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya SAN.

Several other candidates also appeared for the Manifesto Day, with the highlight being the presidential debate which saw the candidates fielding questions from the compere and top TV anchor Shola Soyele.

Akangbe had levied a petition to the ECNBA dated July 4, 2026, and titled “FORMAL PROTEST AGAINST THE UNILATERAL RESCHEDULING OF THE ELECTION DATE AND THE STRUCTURALLY DEFICIENT GUIDELINES FOR THE CANDIDATES’ DEBATE DATED 3 JULY 2026 BUT PUBLISHED ON 4 JULY 2026.”

Objecting to what he called the “Structurally Deficient Guidelines for the Candidates’ Debate,” Akangbe stated that “the structure adopted for the presidential debate segment contains a fundamental deficiency that, if not corrected, will render the exercise a series of parallel monologues rather than a genuine debate.”

He argued that “The prohibition on cross-examination and rebuttal Rule 15 of the Guidelines provides that “Candidates shall not use their presentation time to address, challenge, criticise, or respond to any other candidate.” Rule 16 provides that “No candidate may interrupt, heckle, or make any verbal or non-verbal interjection during the presentation of any other candidate.” Rule 30 provides that “Presidential candidates shall not engage in direct exchanges or rebuttals with each other.”

“Taken together, these rules strip the presidential segment of every element that distinguishes a debate from a sequence of individual presentations. A debate, by definition, is a structured contest of ideas in which propositions are advanced, challenged, tested and defended. Cross-examination, rebuttal and direct engagement between candidates are not incidental features of a debate. They are constitutive of it. Without them, what remains is a manifesto presentation exercise, which may have its own value but should not be called a debate and should not be presented to the electorate as one.”

He warned that “If the structural deficiencies identified in this letter are not remedied before 8 July 2026, I will have no option but to withdraw my participation from the Candidates’ Debate and Manifesto Day. I will do so not as an act of evasion but as a principled refusal to legitimise a format that, in its present form, does not serve the electorate, does not test the candidates, and does not deserve to be called a debate.”

He concluded: “I respectfully request the Committee’s urgent attention to this matter and a substantive response in writing before close of business on Monday, 6 July 2026.”

Akangbe later stated that the electoral committee made concessions that enabled him to participate in the debate.

On his part, Akinboro had withdrawn from the presidential debate even before it started.

In a post today on his verified X handle seen by CITY LAWYER, Akinboro wrote: “Following careful consideration of recent developments surrounding the rescheduled NBA election and the proposed presidential debate, I have taken the difficult decision not to participate in the scheduled debate.”

Continuing, he wrote: “I have always believed that the processes governing our elections must mirror the integrity of our profession: fairness, transparency, and, above all, the spirit of genuine consultation. These are the values I have fought for throughout my career.

“Recent developments, including the manner in which key decisions regarding the electoral process and debate guidelines were introduced by the ECNBA, have raised concerns that strike at the very heart of these principles. I have communicated these concerns directly to the ECNBA, emphasizing that meaningful engagement with all stakeholders is not a luxury, it is a necessity for a process of this magnitude.

“Please understand, my decision not to participate in this specific event is a principled stance, not a withdrawal from engagement. I am, and remain, fully committed to this race and to each of you.

“I have always sought the face to face connection that makes our Bar a family. In this campaign alone, I have journeyed across the country, been present at branch law weeks, agms, town halls, and interactive sessions.

“I have stood before the Townhall by NBA Lagos Branch and participated in the debate hosted by Timi Agbaje precisely because I believe in the power of direct dialogue.

“I am always here waiting to speak with you, heart to heart, as I have done throughout this journey.

“This election is about the soul of our profession and the future we are building together.”

The “Candidates’ Debate and Manifesto Day” was hosted by the ECNBA amid a Direction by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN directing NBA to postpone the elections till August or thereafter.

The direction was rejected by NBA while the electoral committee urged lawyers to disregard it.

CITY LAWYER recalls that Akinboro is the consensus candidate of Egbe Amofin O’odua, the influential Yoruba lawyers’ group. His continued participation in the presidential race is seen as a big win for the ECNBA, moreso as the arrowheads of the group are said to favour an election that is not conducted by the current ECNBA leadership due to alleged bias.

CITY LAWYER recalls that the Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN-led “Peace Committee” had in its majority report recommended that “The micro-zoning done by the Egbe-Amofin in line with the NBA Constitution should be allowed to stand.” This would have made Akinboro the sole NBA presidential candidate. Olanipekun is a ranking member of the Egbe Amofin Board of Trustees.

In rejecting the recommendation, Fagbemi wrote: “HAGF notes this, and his (sic) of the fond view that a more solid arraignment (sic) will be required to implement same in this case, the arraignment (sic) cannot be implemented in this election as all contestants have gone too far in their campaigns to be called back. HAGF is therefore of the view that in future elections NBA zoning and micro-zoning arrangement, where in place, should be respected and implemented.”

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