The Forum of Chairmen and Secretaries of all Nigerian Bar Association branches in Anambra State has declared its support for the constitutional independence of the NBA, the ongoing 2026 national officers’ electoral process, and the administration of the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN.
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In a press statement, the Forum said it had carefully reviewed recent developments arising from purported recommendations and directives attributed to the Attorney-General of the Federation concerning the affairs of the NBA, especially the forthcoming 2026 National Officers’ Election.
The Forum said, after considering the official responses of the NBA and the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, it became necessary to state its position in defence of the legal profession, constitutionalism and the rule of law.
According to the Forum, the NBA is not a department of government but an independent professional association established by law, governed by its Constitution and administered through organs created by that Constitution.
It said the internal affairs of the NBA cannot be subjected to executive directives or administrative control from any office outside the constitutional framework of the Association.
“The Nigerian Bar Association is not a department of government. It is an independent professional association established by law, governed by its Constitution and administered through organs duly created by that Constitution,” the Forum said.
The Forum described the constitutional autonomy of the NBA as a necessary safeguard for the independence of the legal profession, democracy, constitutional governance and the rule of law in Nigeria.
It said no individual or authority outside the constitutional organs of the NBA has the legal competence to suspend, postpone or interfere with the electoral process already commenced by the ECNBA.
The Forum expressed complete confidence in the ECNBA, saying the committee was duly constituted by the National Executive Council and derives its authority from the NBA Constitution.
It urged the electoral committee to continue discharging its constitutional responsibilities impartially, professionally and courageously until the conclusion of the election.
The Forum also condemned what it described as increasing personal attacks, media campaigns, judicial embarrassments and attempts to diminish the office and person of the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN.
It said such attacks were unnecessary, unfair and damaging to the image of the legal profession.
The Forum further stated that there was nothing unconstitutional, illegal or improper in an incumbent NBA President exercising his constitutional right to vote in an election.
According to it, the NBA Constitution does not prohibit the President from voting, nor does it require him to surrender his rights as a member of the Association upon assuming office.
It added that previous NBA Presidents also participated in elections conducted during their administrations by voting for candidates of their choice.
The Forum therefore described as illogical and mischievous any suggestion that the mere exercise of the right to vote amounts to electoral misconduct or institutional compromise.
It also said there was no evidence that Osigwe publicly campaigned for any candidate in the forthcoming election or improperly interfered with the work of the ECNBA.
“Allegations founded upon speculation, suspicion or political disagreement cannot become substitutes for evidence,” the Forum said.
The Forum rejected what it called attempts to personalise institutional disagreements or manufacture narratives aimed at discrediting the present NBA administration through unsubstantiated allegations.
It said fairness required the legal profession to also acknowledge what it described as the substantial achievements recorded by the Osigwe administration within a relatively short period.
According to the Forum, the administration has undertaken far-reaching institutional reforms aimed at strengthening internal governance, improving accountability and reinforcing constitutional compliance within the NBA.
It said the administration had also expanded welfare programmes for lawyers and taken concrete steps towards the implementation and enforcement of the Legal Practitioners’ Remuneration Order to promote the economic wellbeing and dignity of legal practitioners.
The Forum also commended the administration for mentorship initiatives, professional development programmes, financial support opportunities and other interventions aimed at empowering young lawyers and improving their career prospects.
It said capacity-building had received significant attention through continuing legal education programmes, specialised workshops and professional training designed to prepare Nigerian lawyers for emerging areas of practice and the demands of the global legal market.
The Forum further praised the administration for defending constitutional democracy, human rights and the rule of law, saying it had spoken against executive excesses, arbitrary arrests, threats to judicial independence and other violations of constitutional governance.
It also noted that the NBA President had expanded participation in the Association’s affairs through the reconstitution and enlargement of committees, thereby promoting inclusiveness, diversity and shared ownership of the NBA.
The Forum described the recently concluded Annual General Conference in Enugu as a testament to the administration’s vision of a modern, united and progressive Bar.
It said the conference was widely acknowledged as one of the most successful in the history of the Association, marked by strong organisation, robust intellectual engagement, wide participation and renewed confidence in the NBA’s capacity to deliver programmes of international standard.
The Forum expressed regret that instead of allowing these achievements to define the administration, some individuals had allegedly chosen to pursue campaigns of distraction against the person of the NBA President.
It warned that disagreements over elections should not become an excuse to undermine the institutional integrity of the NBA or destroy the reputation of those entrusted with its leadership.
“The Bar must remain bigger than individual ambitions,” the Forum said.
It called on all candidates, their supporters and members of the Association to conduct themselves with restraint, maturity, professionalism and respect for the NBA Constitution throughout the remaining electoral process.
The Forum also urged members to resist every attempt to politicise or externalise disputes that should be resolved through the constitutional mechanisms established by the NBA.
In its resolutions, the Forum reaffirmed its confidence in the constitutional independence of the NBA and condemned any attempt by any person or institution to interfere with the constitutional processes of the Association.
It also expressed confidence in the ECNBA and urged it to proceed with the conduct of the national elections in accordance with the approved timetable.
The Forum commended the Osigwe administration for what it described as achievements in institutional reforms, lawyers’ welfare, professional development, human rights advocacy, inclusiveness and the repositioning of the NBA.
It further condemned personal attacks and campaigns against the NBA President, describing them as unwarranted, unfair and detrimental to the unity of the legal profession.
The Forum declared that all NBA branches in Anambra State stand solidly and unwaveringly behind Osigwe in the discharge of his constitutional responsibilities.
It also resolved to formally engage the Eastern Bar Forum and other regional fora to issue similar communiqués affirming the constitutional independence of the NBA, expressing confidence in the ECNBA, supporting the present administration and condemning attempts to weaken the Association’s institutional integrity.
The Forum said the independence of the Bar remains one of the strongest guarantees of the independence of the Bench, the protection of citizens’ rights and the survival of constitutional democracy in Nigeria.
It pledged to continue defending those ideals without fear or favour.
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