A senior Nigerian lawyer has launched a scathing attack on the just concluded 2026 national elections of the Nigerian Bar Association, describing the entire process, from its preparatory stages through to the final announcement of results, as marred by serious irregularities, bias, and outright rigging. The outspoken advocate faulted the conduct of the poll, which saw Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, emerge as the winner and become only the second female president in the association’s history.
According to the lawyer, the problems began long before voting commenced, with persistent allegations of partisanship by the outgoing leadership, questionable appointments to the Electoral Committee, and concerns over the chosen electronic voting platform and service providers. He highlighted reported glitches during the voting window, including periods when the system went down, as well as low voter turnout that he believes failed to reflect the true will of the Bar’s membership. These technical issues, combined with earlier complaints of bias and inadequate safeguards, created an environment ripe for manipulation and undermined confidence in the exercise from the outset.
The lawyer further criticized the rushed nature of the process and the handling of disputes, arguing that credible calls for suspension or independent audits were ignored despite mounting evidence of irregularities. He expressed deep disappointment over the final declaration of results, in which Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya polled 12,317 votes to defeat her male contenders, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, and Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN. In his view, the outcome represents a continuation of a pattern where preferred candidates benefit from systemic advantages, rather than a fair and transparent contest that upholds the democratic values lawyers are sworn to defend.
This strong rebuke adds to the growing chorus of dissatisfaction within the Bar following the election, which recorded a turnout of approximately 31.86 percent from over 82,000 registered voters. While the Electoral Committee maintained that the process was credible and each vote was properly authenticated, dissenting voices continue to demand thorough investigations, post-election audits, and comprehensive reforms to prevent future controversies. The lawyer urged all stakeholders to prioritize the integrity of the Nigerian Bar Association over any individual victory, warning that repeated failures in its internal democracy could erode public trust in the legal profession as a whole.
