The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has called for a renewed national commitment to protecting and strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process, stressing that democracy can only thrive where the rule of law, accountability, and public confidence in institutions are firmly upheld.
The NBA President made this call while delivering a goodwill message at the opening ceremony of the 2026 NBA Abuja Branch Law Week.
Speaking at the event, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, observed that it is troubling that decades after Nigeria’s independence, the nation is still confronted with persistent concerns about the integrity and stability of its democratic institutions and electoral processes.
He noted that although the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly provides that political power can only be attained through democratic means, unresolved questions surrounding elections and governance continue to challenge public trust in the nation’s democracy.
According to him, democracy is not sustained merely by constitutional provisions, but by the collective resolve of citizens and institutions to defend justice, transparency, accountability, and the sanctity of the electoral process.
The NBA President further described the theme of the Law Week as timely and significant, particularly as the nation gradually prepares for the 2027 general elections. He expressed confidence that the conversations and engagements during the Law Week would contribute meaningfully to shaping the future of Nigeria’s democracy and strengthening democratic culture in the country.
He commended the NBA Abuja Branch for choosing such an important theme and wished the Branch a successful and impactful Law Week, while urging all Nigerians to remain steadfast in defending and preserving the nation’s democratic ideals.
