NOTICE NO. 4 ON THE NBA 2026 ELECTIONS: PROVISIONS, GUIDELINES AND RULES IN RESPECT OF CAMPAIGNS AND OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Distinguished Colleagues,
Further to the ECNBA Notices No. 2 & No. 3 regarding the election of National Officers and the Eighteen (18) representatives of the NBA at the General Council of the Bar and pursuant to the provisions of the NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended in 2025), specifically Section 10 and the Second Schedule, the ECNBA hereby issues NOTICE NO. 4 on the Provisions, Guidelines and Rules to govern campaigns for the 2026 National Elections which is aimed at ensuring campaigns that are decorous, issue-based, and free from undue influences, inducements and other constitutional breaches and infractions. It should be noted that “election year” for the purpose of this Notice No. 4 means this year (2026).
1. Commencement and Duration of Campaigns
Prohibition of Early Campaigning:
No aspirant or candidate or supporter shall commence any form of public campaign until the ECNBA officially releases the final list of cleared candidates and declares the date for commencement of campaigns by candidates.
2. Permissible Campaign Activities
Campaigns shall be restricted to professional interactions focused on the candidate’s vision for the Bar in the following manner:
a) One-on-One Engagement:
Candidates are encouraged to engage members through personal visits, phone calls, and private messages.
b) Manifestoes and CVs:
Candidates shall submit an electronic copy (not exceeding four A4 pages) of their Curriculum Vitae and Manifesto to the ECNBA. These will be published on the official NBA/ECNBA website and in a special electronic Election Magazine.
c) Electronic Communication:
Concise electronic messages promoting the candidate’s program are permitted.
3. Prohibited Conducts and Materials
To maintain the dignity of the profession and ensure a level playing field, the following are strictly prohibited:
(a) Campaign Materials/Gifts:
The distribution of physical campaign materials or gifts of any kind is strictly prohibited at all NBA events. This includes, but is not limited to, posters, banners, flyers, branded apparel (such as shirts or caps), badges, souvenirs, and all other items (e.g., bags, diaries, bottled water).
(b) Video and Audio Jingles:
There shall be no use of video representations, animations, or audio jingles by or on behalf of any candidate.
(c) Philanthropy as a Form of Campaign:
Professional development grants, welfare gestures, full or discounted payments of subscriptions in respect of digital, electronic, internet-enabled and other online devices, sponsorships, or any other financial “interventions” announced or undertaken by aspirants, or their proxies during the election year are prohibited.
(d) Physical Souvenirs:
There is a ZERO-TOLERANCE policy for the distribution of branded or unbranded gifts (bags, diaries, water, etc.) during the election year (2026).
(e) Donations and Philanthropic Gestures:
Any form of donations and philanthropic gestures by candidates seeking election into any national office during the election year is hereby prohibited, and any candidate who contravenes this provision shall be disqualified from being voted for in the election.
(f) Branches, Sections and Fora Soliciting for Contributions:
All Branches, Sections, and Fora are prohibited from soliciting contributions, funds, donations or sponsorship from prospective aspirants or candidates seeking election into any office during the election year.
(g) Derogatory Utterances:
Any Aspirant or Candidate who makes or publishes derogatory material against an opponent or who causes or permits derogatory material to be made against an opponent in any election of the Association shall be disqualified from participating in the election.
(h) Dissemination of False Information:
Any aspirant or candidate who supplies false information about his qualification for any election shall be disqualified from participating in the election and shall be referred to the Disciplinary Committee for sanctions.
(i) Financial Inducements:
Any form of financial inducement including paying annual practicing fees or branch dues for lawyers to curry favour from voters or for any reason whatsoever by candidates and their supporters in the election year is hereby prohibited, and any candidate who contravenes this provision shall be disqualified from being voted for in the election, PROVIDED that any such payment of Bar Practicing Fees and branch dues by the candidate for lawyers who are in his/her direct employment shall not be construed as financial inducement.
(j) Invitation for Sponsorship:
No Branch, Section, or Forum of the Association shall invite prospective aspirants or candidates to sponsor their event or programmes in any election year. Any Branch, Section, or Forum officer or member who invites prospective aspirants or candidates to sponsor their event or programmes in any election year in the Association shall be deemed to be guilty of professional misconduct and shall be referred to the Disciplinary Committee for appropriate sanctions.
(k) Group Endorsements:
No Branch, Section, or Forum of the Association shall endorse any prospective aspirant or candidate for any elective position in the Association.
(l) Endorsements by Branches/Sections/Fora Officers or Members:
Any Branch, Section, or Forum officer or member who endorses or causes to be endorsed any prospective aspirants or candidates for any elective position in the Association shall be deemed to be guilty of professional misconduct and shall be referred to the Disciplinary Committee for appropriate sanctions.
(m) Endorsement by National Officers and Branch Chairmen:
The President, National Officers, and Branch Chairmen are prohibited from openly endorsing or campaigning for any candidate.
(n) Spending Beyond Prescribed Limits:
The ECNBA shall prescribe limits for electoral expenses for candidates in any election. Any candidate who violates the prescribed electoral expenses spending limit shall be disqualified from participating in the election.
4. Other Grounds for Disqualification of a Candidate
In addition to all the above, a member shall not be eligible for election as a National Officer or Representative to the General Council of the Bar if he/she:
a) is not a Nigerian citizen;
b) is a member of a registered political party in Nigeria;
c) has been adjudged bankrupt or has made a compromise or arrangement with his creditors;
d) is adjudged mentally unfit to take up the position by a competent medical authority;
e) has been convicted of a crime involving fraud or dishonesty by a court of competent jurisdiction or has been found guilty of misconduct or professional impropriety by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.
5. Sanctions for Non-Compliance / Infractions / Breaches
Candidates are reminded that under the Second Schedule of the NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended in 2025), any candidate who contravenes these Guidelines and Campaign Rules, either personally or through a third party acting with his/her knowledge, shall be disqualified by the ECNBA and such candidate will be referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for prosecution as professional misconduct where appropriate and applicable.
Dated this 13th day of February, 2026.
AHAM EJELAM, SAN
Chairman (ECNBA 2026)
IBRAHIM ALIYU NASSARAWA, ESQ
Secretary (ECNBA 2026)
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