DSS, Foreign Observers To Monitor NBA Election, Says Osigwe

President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), has disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) and foreign observers will monitor the association’s July 18, 2026 national election to guarantee its credibility and transparency.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Osigwe said the security agency and international observers were invited to independently assess the conduct of the election and provide objective reports after the exercise.

He dismissed concerns raised by some members over alleged plans to rig the election, insisting that the process would be transparent, free and fair.

According to him, the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) remains independent and operates without interference from the NBA leadership.

“The security operatives and foreign observers are being brought on board as independent people who will give objective reports at the end of the election,” he said.

Osigwe also denied allegations that he was attempting to impose a preferred successor, maintaining that he has no vested interest in any of the three candidates contesting to replace him.

The contenders are Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN), Lateef Akangbe Omoyele (SAN), and the only female candidate, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN), all from the South-West.

While addressing claims of candidate imposition, the NBA president accused a South-West lawyers’ group, Egbe Amofin, of attempting to influence the emergence of a particular candidate, contrary to the association’s constitution.

He, however, clarified that the NBA would not object if candidates voluntarily agreed among themselves to step down for one another.

“The NBA as a body will not object if one or two of the candidates step down for each other on their own volition, but we will not allow moves to block the aspiration of any individual to favour any candidate, as being canvassed by the Egbe Amofin group,” he said.

Reiterating his commitment to a credible transition, Osigwe stressed that his administration was solely interested in conducting an election that would produce a president capable of earning the confidence of both lawyers and the wider Nigerian public.

“I will not vote in that election if that would give them comfort. I have never asked or forced anybody to vote for any particular candidate because all I want is a seamless transition,” he said.

He added, “All the allegations of rigging are aimed at damaging the NBA’s reputation and diminishing the association. There should be no room for emotion, blackmail, wild allegations or rumours because all we want is a president who will command the respect of Nigerians.”

Osigwe also addressed reports of the arrest of the service provider responsible for managing the election, confirming that the individual had been released.

He noted, however, that some laptops belonging to the service provider remained in the authorities’ custody.

Despite the development, he expressed confidence that the incident would not affect the conduct of Saturday’s election.