NBA Says Uyo Resolutions Were Taken to Prevent Electoral Crisis and Restore Stability in SPIDEL

Dear Colleagues,

The 1st Vice President, Mr. Sabastine Anyia, has issued a statement addressing the SPIDEL issues.

Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have recently been exposed to misleading narratives regarding the 2025 SPIDEL elections. While individuals are entitled to express dissatisfaction, public commentary must reflect facts, the law, and the actual administrative realities, not assumptions or incomplete information.

For the sake of institutional integrity and to avoid misleading the wider Bar community, the NBA finds it necessary to clarify the issues raised and correct inaccuracies now circulating.

During the National Executive Council of the NBA held in Ilorin on May 15, 2025, the Association resolved to appoint the Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN-led interim leadership/Electoral Committee to conduct elections for the Section on Public Interest & Development Law (SPIDEL).

Contrary to this resolution, the Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN-led interim leadership/Electoral Committee purportedly set up an Electoral Committee chaired by Kunle Edun SAN. This purported committee allegedly violated mandatory provisions of the Bye-Law Requirements, including:

• Failing to publicly announce the date of the election and invite nominations.
  * Not publicising provisions for eligibility to contest or vote, and failing to issue election guidelines.
  * Not notifying disqualified candidates of the reasons for disqualification within seven days.
  * Failing to publicise the list of candidates for election to members.
  * Not indicating the mode and procedure for conducting the election.
  * Not compiling and publishing the list of eligible voters at least twenty-one days before the election.

The NBA leadership also became aware that the purported Electoral Committee intended to clear John Aikpokpo-Martins to be returned unopposed as SPIDEL Chairman, despite constitutional provisions barring him from running for a second term. Additionally, the committee allegedly drew up a list of hand-picked nominees to be returned unopposed.

Concerned about these developments, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, requested Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN to convene an emergency meeting with SPIDEL leadership, past chairmen, and stakeholders to avert an electoral crisis. During the meeting, it was agreed that the election could not proceed and that a harmonised leadership list would be presented to the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Kunle Edun SAN, contrary to reports of his resignation as chairman of the Electoral Committee, participated in the meeting and nominated himself as a Council member. He was advised by the NBA President that the committee he purportedly chaired should step aside so that Prof. Paul Ananaba could inform the AGM and request ratification of the harmonised names.

The NBA also addressed claims by Dr. Anne Agi that the President rejected her as SPIDEL Secretary due to lack of support. The Association clarified that appointments were made based on competence and fairness, noting that supporters of different presidential candidates were evenly represented in roles such as rapporteurs and committee members.

The NBA leadership emphasized its commitment to broadening participation, creating opportunities for more members of the Bar, and implementing cost-effective measures in committee appointments.

Regarding allegations about the launch of Dr. Anne Agi’s book, Space Law 101 for Beginners, the NBA clarified that the launch occurred in 2022 under the tenure of a previous President, Olumide Akpata, and was unrelated to the current administration.

The NBA reiterated that SPIDEL has experienced a period of crisis and appealed to all stakeholders to work together to ensure the Section functions effectively. The Association affirmed that any measures taken were intended to avert crises and conclude the tenure of the Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN-led caretaker leadership with good intentions.

The statement also reads: “SPIDEL has gone through a crisis period. We all need to join hands to allow the Section work. There is no need for conjecture or spins about how we got here. Whatever decision was taken at that meeting was to avert a crisis and also bring the tenure of Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN-led caretaker leadership to an end. If any mistake was made in adopting that mode to avert a crisis, it is assured that it was made with good intentions and not any ill motive. Please let us move and join hands to ensure that peace returns to SPIDEL.”

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