NBA Poll: Retired judge backs NIN verification of voters, says he warned of election crisis

A retired Federal High Court judge, Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo, has strongly advocated for the mandatory use of the National Identification Number (NIN) for voter verification in Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) elections. His call comes amidst persistent controversies and allegations of irregularities plaguing the association's electoral processes, particularly concerning the upcoming 2026 national officers' election. Justice Taiwo, who had previously warned of an impending election crisis in 2022, believes that NIN verification is crucial to enhance transparency, restore confidence, and prevent a situation where election outcomes are predetermined. This intervention highlights the growing demand for robust identity management in professional body elections, mirroring national efforts to leverage NIN for improved governance and accountability.

The integrity of electoral processes within professional bodies is paramount to their credibility and effective governance. In Nigeria, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the umbrella body for legal practitioners, has frequently grappled with election-related disputes, casting shadows over its leadership selection. The latest in this series of controversies surrounds the upcoming 2026 national officers' election, prompting a retired Federal High Court judge, Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo, to reiterate his earlier warnings and advocate for a fundamental reform: the mandatory verification of voters using the National Identification Number (NIN).

Justice Taiwo's intervention underscores a critical juncture for the NBA, where calls for enhanced transparency and accountability are colliding with entrenched electoral practices. His support for NIN verification is presented as a necessary measure to address long-standing issues of voter eligibility, potential manipulation, and the erosion of confidence in the electoral system. This article delves into the legal and practical dimensions of this proposal, examining the historical context of NBA election crises, the statutory framework for NIN, and the implications for the future of democratic processes within the legal profession in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Bar Association transitioned to a system of universal suffrage and electronic voting for its national officers' elections in 2015, moving away from the previous delegate-based system. This reform was intended to democratise the process and enhance credibility. However, subsequent elections, including those in 2016, 2020, and 2024, have been marred by allegations of irregularities, voter disenfranchisement, and disputes over the integrity of the electronic voting platforms. These recurring issues have often led to litigation and internal divisions, challenging the association's unity and public perception.

Concurrently, Nigeria has been on a trajectory towards establishing a robust national identity management system. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2007 established the National Identity Management Commission and the National Identity Database. More recently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the NIMC Act 2026 into law, repealing the 2007 Act and significantly strengthening the legal framework for identity management in Nigeria. This new legislation reinforces the National Identification Number (NIN) as the cornerstone of identity verification and authentication nationwide, aiming for universal digital identity and improved public service delivery. The NBA Constitution 2015, as amended in 2025, currently stipulates eligibility to vote based on the timely payment of Annual Practising Fees, with the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) responsible for preparing the preliminary voters' register.

Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo's advocacy for NIN verification is rooted in his observation of persistent electoral malpractices within the NBA. He publicly warned in his 2022 valedictory speech about the need for a more democratic and transparent method of electing officers, stating his view that the election of the NBA President "ought to transcend a situation where the next President is known before a new one is sworn in." His current support for NIN verification is a direct response to the ongoing crisis surrounding the 2026 NBA national officers' election, which has seen multiple court cases, allegations of bias against the association's leadership, and disputes over zoning and consensus arrangements.

The current NBA electronic voting platform relies on a voter's Supreme Court Number and a One-Time Password (OTP) sent to their registered communication channel for authentication. While this system aims to prevent proxy voting, concerns about the accuracy and integrity of the underlying voter register persist. Justice Taiwo's proposal for NIN verification seeks to leverage a more foundational and nationally recognised identity credential to ensure that only genuinely eligible and unique lawyers participate in the elections. The NIMC Act 2026 provides a strong legal backing for the expanded use of NIN, designating it as central to identity verification across various sectors and aiming to reduce fraud and duplicate records.

However, the implementation of NIN verification faces institutional hurdles. The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had convened a stakeholders' meeting and a sub-committee reportedly recommended, among other things, the introduction of NIN verification for eligible voters. The NBA, under its President Afam Osigwe (SAN), has rejected these recommendations, asserting its constitutional autonomy and independence under Section 10(2) of the Legal Practitioners Act. This highlights a tension between external calls for reform, even if well-intentioned, and the NBA's insistence on self-governance. While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria has moved towards biometric verification (BVAS) and is exploring other legally acceptable means of identification for general elections, the NBA's internal electoral framework remains distinct.

The debate also touches on the broader implications of identity management in a digital age. The NIMC's ongoing efforts to achieve universal NIN enrollment, with over 137 million registrations, demonstrate the increasing reliance on this unique identifier for various transactions and services. Integrating NIN into the NBA electoral process could align the association with national best practices in secure identity verification, potentially enhancing the credibility of its elections and reducing the scope for manipulation that has historically plagued the polls. The challenge lies in harmonising this external standard with the NBA's constitutional provisions and its commitment to institutional independence.

The call for NIN verification in NBA elections by a retired judge underscores a critical need for enhanced transparency and integrity within professional bodies' electoral processes. The recurring crises and litigation surrounding NBA elections necessitate a re-evaluation of the current electoral framework to restore confidence among members and the public. While the NBA rightly guards its autonomy, adopting robust and verifiable identity management systems, such as NIN, aligns with national efforts to combat fraud and ensure credible outcomes in various spheres of public life.

Practitioners should closely monitor the ongoing disputes and the NBA's response to calls for electoral reform. The outcome of the current election controversies and any subsequent amendments to the NBA Constitution will significantly shape the future of democratic governance within the legal profession. It is imperative for the NBA to embrace reforms that not only uphold its independence but also reflect best practices in electoral integrity, ensuring that its leadership truly represents the collective will of its members and strengthens the association's role as a bastion of justice and the rule of law.