A former member of the Nigerian Bar Association’s National Executive Committee (NEC), Silas Joseph Onu, has expressed grave concerns about the security of votes in the upcoming 2024 National Officers’ Election.
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In a statement released on his X handle today, Onu commended the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) for initiating a voter verification exercise but warned that the process is susceptible to manipulation.
“The security of the exercise is absolutely porous as anyone with access to the Supreme Court Enrolment Numbers (SCNs) of lawyers could simply hijack the votes of such lawyers,” Onu stated.
He outlined a hypothetical scenario where an individual could obtain SCNs through the NBA’s Stamp and Seal department and embark on a “massive verification project” by changing the phone numbers and email addresses of lawyers.
ECNBA AND THE 2024 NATIONAL OFFICERS ELECTION: MY CONCERN ABOUT THE SECURITY OF VOTES.
Recently, the ECNBA called on registered voters to embark on a verification exercise, which is a critical step towards ensuring that no one who is qualified to vote is denied of such a right.…
— Onu (@sjonu) June 9, 2024
“Such a dubious individual can harvest thousands of votes and wait for the election day to plant them in one field for a handsome reward,” Onu cautioned.
The former NEC member recounted his personal experience during the administration of AB Mahmud when he did not receive login codes to access the election portal but received an appreciation message thanking him for voting.
Onu emphasized the paramount importance of securing votes to ensure a “conflict-free, transparent, and all-inclusive National Officers’ election in 2024.”
He urged the ECNBA and the developers of the verification portal to take visible actions beyond mere reassurances to address the potential vulnerabilities.
“I am raising this concern in good faith and the overall interest of the Bar. I will be happy to see that this is addressed, not just by mere words of reassurance but by a visible action,” Onu stated.
The concerns raised by the respected legal practitioner have reignited discussions about the integrity of the electoral process within the Nigerian Bar Association. It remains to be seen how the ECNBA will respond to these allegations and what measures will be implemented to bolster the security of votes.
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