Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe, a leading candidate in the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential election, has raised serious concerns over some issues relating to the election.

In a letter obtained by CITY LAWYER and dated 8th June, 2024, Erojikwe who is also the Chairman of the NBA Institute of Continuing Legal Education, warned that there are potential infractions and lapses that could undermine the credibility of the forthcoming elections.

Addressed to the ECNBA Chairman, the letter is titled “SUNDRY ISSUES AND CONCERNS RELATING TO THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTIONS OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION.”

While commending the electoral umpire for its “speedy response” to his earlier concerns on the election, Erojikwe stated that the latest letter concerns issues which he finds “disconcerting.”

Noting that guidelines for the election are set out in the NBA Constitution are “sacrosanct” and designed to provide certainty and “eliminate post-electoral conflicts,” Erojikwe stated that “it saddens me to inform you that certain provisions of the Constitution which are critical to the Election have not, and are not being, complied with.”

Failure to provide voting guidelines and a voter list
Erojikwe highlighted the ECNBA’s failure to issue guidelines for electronic voting at least 60 days before the election date, as stipulated by the NBA Constitution. “As of today, the guidelines for electronic voting have not been released. Even more so, members of the association have not been apprised of the platform, if any, to be used for the electronic voting,” he wrote.

Additionally, the candidate pointed out that the ECNBA has not published the full list of eligible NBA voters at least 45 days before the election, as required by the Constitution. “Again, counting from the tentative date of the election, this requirement ought to have been fulfilled no later than June 5, 2024,” Erojikwe stated.

Noting that an electoral process ought to be transparent and collaborative, he stated that it is “disheartening” that this has not been the case.

Data Security Concerns in the Voter Verification Process
Erojikwe also raised alarm as to alleged security vulnerabilities in the ongoing voter verification process. According to his him, “anyone (whether a member of the association or not) can alter the details of any member on the portal simply by having access to the other member’s SCN (Supreme Court Number).”

This current security infrastructure, Erojikwe warned, not only poses data privacy issues but also raises “a very glaring concern regarding malicious alteration of voter information and tampering with the voting process.”

Call for Transparency and Safeguards
In light of these issues, Erojikwe has called upon the ECNBA to take immediate steps to address the concerns and ensure a credible electoral process. His recommendations include:

• Promptly publishing voting guidelines and the electronic voting platform in compliance with the Constitution.
• Allowing candidates and stakeholders to scrutinize the integrity of the process and platform.
• convening a meeting of candidates and stakeholders to discuss challenges and provide assurances about the ECNBA’s preparedness.
• Implementing measures to safeguard unauthorised access to members’ data during and after the verification exercise.
• Actively warding off any external interference or involvement in the electoral process.

Erojikwe urged the electoral umpire to “take steps to speedily address the issues in this letter,” adding that he was desirous to provide “any further assistance that you may require.”

The ECNBA is yet to respond to the letter as at the time of this report.

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