“July 18 NBA Election Will Proceed, I Will Not Resign” — ECNBA Chairman Ejelam Rejects Corruption Claims, Defends Electoral Process

The Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), Chief Aham Ejelam, SAN, has affirmed that the 2026 NBA National Officers’ Election will proceed as scheduled on July 18, 2026. This declaration comes amidst mounting pressure, including calls for his resignation and allegations of corruption and electoral impropriety. Ejelam, SAN, firmly rejected these claims, asserting the ECNBA's commitment to conducting a credible, transparent, and fair election in accordance with the NBA Constitution. The controversy highlights recurring challenges in professional body elections in Nigeria, underscoring the delicate balance between electoral autonomy and the imperative for accountability and public trust.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Africa's largest professional body for legal practitioners, is once again at a critical juncture as its biennial National Officers’ Election approaches. Scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026, the electoral process has been overshadowed by significant controversy, with the Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), Chief Aham Ejelam, SAN, publicly rejecting corruption claims and defending the integrity of the electoral arrangements.

Chief Ejelam's resolute stance, articulated in response to an open letter by another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Yomi Alliyu, SAN, underscores the high stakes involved in the leadership transition of the NBA. The allegations, ranging from unlawfully acquired data to a compromised voters' register, threaten to undermine confidence in the electoral process, a recurring challenge in the Association's history. This article delves into the legal framework governing NBA elections, analyzes the ECNBA's response to the allegations, and explores the broader implications for electoral integrity within professional bodies in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Bar Association operates under the Nigerian Bar Association Constitution 2015 (as amended in 2025), which provides the foundational legal framework for its governance and electoral processes. Section 10 and the Second Schedule of the Constitution specifically empower the ECNBA to conduct elections into National Offices and for representatives to the General Council of the Bar. The ECNBA itself is established by the National Executive Committee (NEC) at its meeting in the first quarter of an election year, reflecting a constitutional mandate to ensure a structured and orderly transition of leadership.

Elections for National Officers are conducted by universal suffrage and electronic voting, a system adopted to enhance transparency and efficiency. Eligibility to vote is contingent upon compliance with the prescribed Annual Practising Fee requirement and branch dues, with the ECNBA responsible for compiling the register of eligible voters in conjunction with the NBA. However, the NBA's electoral history has not been without its challenges, with past elections frequently marred by allegations of rigging, vote manipulation, and disputes over the voters' register, leading to legal challenges and a crisis of confidence among members. These historical precedents underscore the sensitivity surrounding the current allegations and the ECNBA's efforts to uphold the credibility of the 2026 elections.

The current controversy surrounding the 2026 NBA elections centers on allegations of corruption, a compromised voters' register, and the integrity of the electronic voting system. Chief Ejelam, SAN, in his defense, emphasized that the ECNBA derives its authority from the NBA Constitution and decisions of competent organs of the Association, asserting that no individual can unilaterally dissolve the committee or demand their resignation outside the mechanisms provided by the NBA Constitution. This highlights the principle of constitutional supremacy within the NBA's internal governance, where the ECNBA's mandate is rooted in the Association's supreme law.

Allegations of "unlawfully acquired data" and a "fraudulent, padded" voters' register have been vehemently denied by the ECNBA and the NBA's ICT Department. The ECNBA clarified that eligibility to vote is determined by the payment of Annual Practising Fees by the constitutional deadline, not by participation in an administrative verification exercise, which was merely for updating contact information. Furthermore, the committee stressed that voting requires successful authentication via a real-time One-Time Password, making proxy voting technically inaccurate. This technical explanation aims to counter claims of systemic vulnerability, aligning with the ECNBA's stated goal to deliver a free, fair, credible, transparent, and auditable election using modern technology.

The Chairman's rejection of calls for his resignation, despite what he described as "threats, blackmail and political pressure," underscores the ECNBA's assertion of independence and its commitment to its mandate. This stance is crucial, especially given the NBA's historical position as an independent body, not subject to the control or directives of external governmental bodies like the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation. The ECNBA's commitment to adhering to the revised timetable, which includes the publication of the final voters' register on July 10, 2026, and mock voting exercises, demonstrates a procedural adherence aimed at building confidence.

However, the persistence of such allegations, even without concrete evidence, reflects a broader challenge in maintaining public confidence in electoral processes, a phenomenon not unique to professional bodies in Nigeria. Past NBA elections, such as those in 2016 and 2018, faced similar accusations of irregularities and vote manipulation, some leading to litigation. The current situation, therefore, necessitates not just procedural correctness but also a robust communication strategy and a willingness to address concerns transparently to prevent post-election disputes and maintain the unity and integrity of the Bar.

The steadfast declaration by Chief Aham Ejelam, SAN, that the 2026 NBA National Officers’ Election will proceed as scheduled on July 18, 2026, despite significant allegations of impropriety, sets the stage for a closely watched electoral exercise. For practising attorneys and legal professionals, the outcome of this election, and critically, the perceived fairness of its process, will have profound implications for the credibility and internal cohesion of the Nigerian Bar Association. The ECNBA's reliance on the NBA Constitution and its commitment to electronic voting mechanisms are intended to bolster transparency, yet the historical context of electoral disputes within the Association demands heightened vigilance.

Practitioners should closely monitor the election's conduct, particularly the efficacy of the electronic voting system and the resolution of any on-the-day challenges. The emphasis on verifiable evidence for allegations of corruption, as articulated by Chief Ejelam, SAN, highlights the legal standard required to challenge electoral outcomes. Should disputes arise post-election, they will likely be adjudicated within the framework of the NBA Constitution and relevant judicial precedents concerning professional body elections. The integrity of this election is paramount not only for the incoming leadership but also for the NBA's continued role as a principled advocate for the rule of law in Nigeria. All stakeholders are encouraged to engage responsibly with the process and uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.