The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has announced that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and foreign observers will monitor the NBA’s national election scheduled for Saturday, July 18, to ensure the credibility and integrity of the exercise.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Osigwe dismissed allegations of plans to rig the election, insisting that the poll would be transparent, free and fair.

According to him, the security agency and international observers were invited to independently monitor the process and provide objective reports on the conduct of the election.

He also denied allegations that he was attempting to impose a preferred successor, stressing that he has no interest in any of the three candidates contesting for the presidency of the association.

The contestants are Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN; Lateef Akangbe Omoyele, SAN; and Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, the only female candidate in the race. All three are from the South-West geopolitical zone.

Osigwe maintained that he would neither endorse nor impose any candidate and would resist any attempt to undermine the democratic process through intimidation, blackmail or campaigns aimed at tarnishing the image of the NBA.

He alleged that a group, Egbe Amofin, had been mounting pressure to secure the emergence of a particular candidate, describing such efforts as inconsistent with the constitution and democratic principles of the association.

While noting that there would be no objection if any of the candidates voluntarily stepped down for another, he insisted that no individual or group would be allowed to force any aspirant out of the race.

The NBA President further emphasized that the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) is constitutionally independent and does not take directives from him or any other official of the association.

To reinforce confidence in the process, Osigwe disclosed that he would abstain from voting in the election to eliminate any perception of bias.

“I want Nigerians and members of the Bar to hold me accountable for this election. We will ensure that it is the most credible election in the history of the NBA,” he said.

He urged critics of the process to allow democracy to prevail, describing allegations that he was imposing a candidate as unfounded.

“It is absurd to accuse me of imposing a candidate when those making the allegations are openly backing a particular aspirant. I have never instructed or compelled anyone to vote for any candidate. My only interest is a seamless transition,” he said.

Osigwe added that the allegations of rigging were aimed at damaging the reputation of the NBA and urged members to avoid spreading rumours, blackmail and unfounded accusations.

He also confirmed that a service provider engaged for the election was recently arrested but disclosed that the individual had since been released, although some laptops belonging to him remained in the custody of security agencies.