The Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, ECNBA, Mr. Aham Ejelam, SAN, has rejected calls by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Yomi Alliyu, SAN, for his resignation, insisting that he will not step down over what he described as “threats or unsubstantiated allegations.”
Responding to an open letter written by Chief Alliyu, Mr. Ejelam said his appointment as Chairman of the ECNBA was a constitutional responsibility undertaken in the interest of the Nigerian Bar Association and not for personal or political reasons.
“I will not resign on the basis of threats or unsubstantiated allegations. My acceptance of the chairmanship of the ECNBA was not motivated by personal ambition or political patronage, but by a sense of duty to the legal profession,” he stated.
The ECNBA Chairman dismissed allegations of corruption against him, saying no credible evidence had been presented to support the claims.
According to him, “Repeated allegations cannot transform conjecture into fact, and there are legal consequences for false accusations.”
On the legality of the Electoral Committee, Mr. Ejelam maintained that the ECNBA was duly constituted in line with the Constitution of the Nigerian Bar Association and could only be dissolved through constitutional procedures or by a court of competent jurisdiction.
He also denied claims that the Committee imposed or accepted an election service provider under external influence, describing the allegations as false and unsupported by evidence.
Mr. Ejelam challenged anyone with credible evidence of wrongdoing by the service provider to submit such evidence to the Committee or the appropriate investigative authorities instead of relying on public accusations.
Addressing concerns over voters’ data and calls for the introduction of the National Identification Number, NIN, into the electoral process, the ECNBA Chairman maintained that the Committee remained committed to lawful voter authentication but could not introduce requirements not provided for in the NBA Constitution.
“There is no provision for the use of the National Identification Number in the NBA Constitution. The Committee must act in accordance with the Constitution and approved electoral framework, not political pressure,” he said.
On reports of recommendations attributed to the Attorney-General of the Federation concerning the NBA election, Mr. Ejelam stressed that while the ECNBA respected the office of the Attorney-General, only the constitutional organs of the Nigerian Bar Association could take decisions relating to the Association’s electoral process.
He further noted that issues relating to the ongoing litigation over the election should be left for judicial determination.
“Neither an open letter nor public commentary can replace the determination of a competent court,” he added.
The ECNBA Chairman also distanced the Electoral Committee from allegations made against the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Afam Osigwe, SAN, saying the Committee operates independently and had not received directives from any individual to influence the outcome of the election.
Mr. Ejelam reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to conducting a transparent, free and credible election, pointing to the publication of voters’ registers, stakeholder engagements, voter sensitisation programmes, candidates’ debate and manifesto day, as well as invitations extended to independent domestic and international observers.
He disclosed that candidates had also been encouraged to deploy their Information Technology consultants to monitor proceedings at the election situation room throughout the exercise.
Reaffirming the Committee’s readiness, Mr. Ejelam said the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association National Officers’ Election would hold as scheduled on Saturday, July 18, unless otherwise directed by a competent constitutional authority or a court of competent jurisdiction.
“The ECNBA will remain focused. It will not be distracted by political pressure from any quarter. Our mandate is to ensure that every eligible Nigerian lawyer is able to exercise the right to vote and be voted for in a credible electoral process,” he stated.
PR/Hassan Hussain
