*Assures Egbe Amofin Oodua Chairman After Protest Over Branded Items
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The distribution of bottled water bearing the image and logo of Oyinkasola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, an aspirant for the office of NBA President, and her campaign banners flooding the hall at the quarterly National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Maiduguri, Borno State, has sparked controversy and protest among members according to lawblogng report.
The incident prompted NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, to address concerns among members regarding his partisanship ahead of the July 2026 NBA presidential election, stating that he cannot remain neutral because he has a voting right.
The protest arose after a NEC member objected to the distribution of bottled water at the meeting bearing the image and logo of Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, an aspirant for the office of NBA President who is widely believed to enjoy the support and endorsement of the NBA President.
Her campaign banners also reportedly flooded the hall at the NEC meeting venue, further fuelling concerns about preferential treatment for a particular candidate at an official NBA gathering.
In response to the protest, the NBA President maintained that no law, rule, or provision of the NBA Constitution prevents him from supporting any candidate of his choice and that exercising such support falls within his personal discretion as a voting member of the Association.
Osigwe further drew an analogy with national politics, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yet is expected to contest the 2027 presidential election to be conducted by the commission headed by his appointee.
Despite affirming his right to political preference, Osigwe assured NEC members that his position would not compromise the integrity of the electoral process and pledged that the NBA’s forthcoming national election would be conducted freely, fairly, and transparently.
Following his remarks, the Chairman of Egbe Amofin Oodua, Aare Isiaka Olagunju, SAN, requested assurances that all aspirants would be given a level playing field. Osigwe agreed, clarifying that this commitment formed the basis of his assurance of a free and fair election.
Three senior lawyers are currently contesting for the office of NBA President:
Yemi Akangbe, SAN, a former Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch, who is seen as the only independent candidate with support from lawyers without any group affiliation or NBA President’s backing.
Oyinkasola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, who is alleged to be supported by the NBA President.
Aare Muyiwa Akinboro, SAN, a former General Secretary of the Association, who is the sole candidate of Egbe Amofin Oodua.
@thenigerialawyer "Bottled Water Branded With Aspirant’s Image, Campaign Banners Flood NEC Hall" — NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, Says He Cannot Remain Neutral, Citing 'Tinubu Appointed INEC Chairman Yet Will Contest 2027 Election'
While there is no legal prohibition against an NBA President supporting a candidate, the 2024 ECNBA Guidelines for National Officer Elections released during the last election contain specific provisions on campaign materials and inducements.
The Guidelines prohibit financial inducement of voters, including paying practising fees or branch dues, and any form of “treating” or material benefit designed to influence voters’ choice, except limited welfare for staff in a candidate’s direct employment.
While the Guidelines do not list bottled water specifically, the spirit is that campaign materials should not cross into gifting of items that could reasonably be seen as buying favour. The Guidelines instead emphasise professional, issue-based campaigns, and ban political-style rallies, financial inducement, and similar practices.
The distribution of branded bottled water with a candidate’s image and logo is generally treated as part of campaign “souvenirs” or materials, and the key questions are whether it amounts to undue financial inducement and whether it is consistent with ECNBA guidelines on civility and professionalism.
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