NBA Rejects Alleged AGF Directive to Postpone 2026 National Election

The Nigerian Bar Association has rejected reports alleging that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, directed the postponement of its 2026 national officers' election, insisting that such an order would be unconstitutional and outside the powers of the nation's chief law officer.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, NBA President Afam Osigwe described the purported directive as inconsistent with the association's constitutional autonomy, maintaining that the NBA is an independent professional body not subject to the control of the Attorney-General or any arm of government.

The association was reacting to a document circulating online, described as a report of a sub-committee, which allegedly contained comments attributed to the AGF directing the disbandment of the NBA's Electoral Committee (ECNBA), postponement of the 2026 national election, removal of the association's election service provider, appointment of a caretaker committee, incorporation of National Identification Numbers (NINs) into the voter register and a review of the NBA Constitution to eliminate universal suffrage.

The NBA rejected the alleged recommendations, arguing that the Attorney-General lacks statutory authority to interfere in its internal affairs.

Citing Section 10(2) of the Legal Practitioners Act, the association said external intervention in the affairs of the NBA is permitted only under clearly defined statutory circumstances, none of which, it said, currently exist.

"For the record, the Nigerian Bar Association is an independent body not under the control of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation," the statement said.

It added that even if the Attorney-General convened a mediation meeting involving parties to ongoing disputes, he could not lawfully issue directives capable of determining the outcome of matters already before the courts.

The association noted that the issues contained in the alleged directive substantially mirror reliefs being sought in two pending cases before the Oyo State High Court, popularly referred to as the Egbe Amofin cases.

According to the NBA, the Attorney-General cannot grant through mediation what remains the exclusive preserve of the courts.

The association stressed that a mediator is expected to facilitate dialogue rather than impose binding decisions on parties involved in litigation.

The NBA also criticised the conduct of the sub-committee established after a meeting held on June 11, 2026, saying its mandate had been limited to facilitating discussions aimed at resolving the pending court cases.

According to the association, the committee was never authorised to investigate or make findings against the NBA President.

It further argued that the report violated the principle of fair hearing because Osigwe was never provided with the memoranda relied upon by the committee before adverse conclusions were allegedly reached.

The NBA also questioned the participation of Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), noting that he serves as counsel to one of the parties in the litigation and should therefore not have participated in decisions touching on the dispute.

Reaffirming its position, the NBA declared that preparations for the 2026 national officers' election would continue in line with the timetable already released by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA).

The association insisted that neither the Attorney-General nor any government institution possesses the constitutional authority to suspend its election, alter its constitution or interfere with its democratic succession process.

"The Nigerian Bar Association is a body that has clear decision-making organs and can only subject itself to its constitutional mechanisms," the statement said.

"It is not subject to the control or directives of the office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation or any other arm of government."

The association therefore maintained that the 2026 NBA national election would proceed as scheduled unless otherwise decided through its own constitutional processes.