NBA Rejects Alleged AGF Directives, Insists 2026 Election Will Proceed

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has rejected what it described as unconstitutional attempts by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to interfere in its forthcoming 2026 national officers’ election, insisting that only its National Executive Council (NEC) has the authority to postpone the exercise.

In a statement issued by NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), the Association reaffirmed its independence, maintaining that it is not subject to the control or directives of the Attorney General of the Federation.

The NBA was reacting to a purported report of a sub-committee and comments allegedly endorsed by the Attorney General, which reportedly recommended sweeping changes to the electoral process.

According to the Association, the alleged directives include the dissolution of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), postponement of the 2026 election, termination of the services of the current election service provider, the establishment of a caretaker committee, the integration of the National Identity Number (NIN) into the voters’ register and a review of the NBA Constitution to abolish universal suffrage.

Describing the reported directives as unconstitutional and beyond the powers of the Attorney General, the NBA said they amount to an attempt to undermine the independence of the legal profession and place the Association under government control.

“The Nigerian Bar Association is an independent body not under the control of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation,” the statement said.

The Association relied on Section 10(2) of the Legal Practitioners Act, arguing that no external authority has the legal power to interfere in its internal affairs except in circumstances expressly provided by law, which it said do not apply in the present case.

The NBA maintained that any decision regarding the postponement of its national election rests exclusively with its National Executive Council and reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a credible, transparent and constitutionally compliant electoral process.

As of the time of filing this report, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation had not publicly responded to the NBA’s claims regarding the alleged directives.