A campaign video released by legal practitioner and former Secretary of the NBA Idemili Branch, C.J.S. Azoro, Esq., who is contesting for the position of Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Idemili Branch, popularly known as the Fountain Bar, has raised questions over a possible breach of the branch election rules regulating the publication and distribution of campaign materials.
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Azoro, who is seeking to lead the branch for the 2026-2028 term, publicly declared his intention to contest through a campaign video featuring an afrobeat-style jingle, campaign flyers, interaction clips with colleagues and a five-point manifesto promising to give the Anambra-based Bar branch what he described as “a new facelift.”
The video, which has begun circulating among members of the Idemili Branch and on social media platforms, shows Azoro interacting with colleagues, speaking at the Idemili Bar Centre and appearing in court attire, while official campaign posters outlining his manifesto and vision are also displayed.
In a departure from the usually modest and text-heavy campaign style common in NBA branch elections, Azoro’s video is driven by a custom afrobeat campaign song. The jingle, sung in English and Nigerian Pidgin, repeatedly chants, “Azoro… C.J.S. Azoro for Chairman o!” while urging members of the branch to support his candidacy.
The song describes him as “Lawyer wey sabee book, lawyer wey sabee work,” meaning a lawyer who is knowledgeable and hardworking, and says he will “lead us well” so that the Idemili Branch will not falter under his leadership.
The campaign’s central message is also captured in the line: “Make una vote for competence, no be by mouth, na by action,” meaning members should vote for competence and proven action, not mere talk.
Azoro’s campaign materials outline five major areas of focus: welfare, well-being and capacity building; professional development; good governance and integrity; branch infrastructure; and unity and collaboration.
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On welfare, he promises to put members’ interests first, enhance members’ welfare, foster a supportive professional community and empower members through tailored welfare programmes and continuous learning opportunities.
On professional development, he pledges to create more opportunities for training, mentorship and capacity building to improve legal practice within the branch.
On good governance and integrity, he promises to promote transparency, accountability and inclusiveness in branch administration, while upholding the rule of law and judicial autonomy.
On branch infrastructure, Azoro says he will improve and maintain both physical and digital assets to make the Idemili Branch “a point of pride for all members,” in line with his campaign theme of giving a facelift to the Fountain Bar.
On unity and collaboration, he promises to build a stronger and more united branch by bringing together different generations of lawyers to work effectively. His campaign materials also carry the slogan, “A new Voice. A stronger Bar. A better Future.”
However, the campaign has drawn attention because NBA branch elections are governed by bye-law provisions that strictly regulate the nomination, campaign and conduct of candidates.
Under the applicable rules, a candidate for any branch elective office must be nominated or proposed in writing by a member and seconded by another, both of whom must be qualified in accordance with the bye-law for the equivalent office and be in good standing with their practising fees and branch dues.
Candidates are also required to submit by email not more than four pages of A4-size electronic copies of their curriculum vitae, comprehensive manifestoes and other campaign materials to the Electoral Committee for publication on the branch website or electronic platforms at the commencement of campaign.
Most importantly, the rules provide that campaigns by candidates in every branch election shall be through the publication of campaign materials online, but every campaign material meant for publication or distribution online must first be approved by the Branch Elections Committee before publication or distribution.
The rule states: “Campaigns by candidates in every Branch election shall be by the publication of campaign materials online… provided that every campaign material for publication or distribution online by any candidate must be approved by the Branch Elections Committee before its publication or distribution. Any candidate who violates this provision shall be disqualified from participating in the election.”
The provision has therefore raised the question of whether Azoro’s campaign video, jingle, posters and other related materials were first submitted to and approved by the NBA Idemili Branch Electoral Committee before being circulated online and among members.
The bye-law also prohibits aspirants or candidates from making or publishing derogatory materials against opponents, or causing such materials to be published. Any candidate found in breach is liable to disqualification and referral to the Disciplinary Committee for sanctions.
Similarly, any aspirant or candidate who supplies false information about his qualification for any election is also liable to disqualification and disciplinary referral.
The rules further require the Branch Electoral Committee to collate all approved campaign materials, arrange them alphabetically without regard to the positions being sought, and publish them in an electronic Election Magazine on the branch website or electronic platforms at least 21 days before the election.
As of the time of this report, it is not clear whether Azoro’s campaign video and related materials received prior approval from the Branch Elections Committee before circulation.
It is also not yet clear how many other candidates are contesting the chairmanship of NBA Idemili Branch for the 2026-2028 term or when the election is scheduled to hold.
Neither the NBA Idemili Branch Electoral Committee nor the outgoing branch leadership has publicly commented on the campaign video, the election timetable or whether any breach of the rules has occurred.
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