The Midwest Bar Forum has firmly rejected the purported directives attributed to the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef O. Fagbemi, SAN, concerning the forthcoming 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Elections, declaring that no external authority has the constitutional power to dictate or alter the Association’s electoral process.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Ama Etuwewe, SAN, and Secretary, Ebosele Okhifoh, Esq., the Forum expressed concern over the circulation of a document titled “Directions and Outcomes of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation on the Report of the 3-Man Committee Set Up to Look into Causes of the Present Conflicts Within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Particularly on the Way Forward in Matters Relating to the Upcoming 2026 Elections of National Officers of the Nigerian Bar Association.”
The Forum stated that if the publication indeed emanated from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, it would amount to an unfortunate interference in the internal affairs of an independent professional body.
According to the statement, while the Attorney-General occupies a highly respected constitutional office, he possesses no constitutional or statutory authority to issue directives, decisions, or pronouncements affecting the conduct of elections into any office of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Reaffirming the autonomy of the Association, the Midwest Bar Forum stressed that the NBA is governed exclusively by its Constitution and that matters relating to its electoral process fall within its internal governance framework. It emphasized that the National Executive Council (NEC) remains the only organ vested with the authority to make decisions or determine the modalities for the conduct of NBA elections, adding that any external directive cannot supersede the constitutional structures of the Association.
The Forum also expressed unwavering confidence in the integrity of the ECNBA and the electoral process leading to the July 18, 2026 elections, urging the Electoral Committee to proceed with the exercise and deliver a free, fair, and credible election. It maintained that no person has the legal authority to halt the NBA elections except as provided under the NBA Constitution.
Calling on members of the Forum to remain calm and resolute, the statement urged all eligible lawyers to participate actively in the elections by voting peacefully and freely for candidates of their choice, guided solely by the best interests of the Nigerian Bar Association.
The Midwest Bar Forum concluded by reaffirming its commitment to preserving the independence of the Bar and pledged continued support for every lawful process that strengthens the Association and its democratic institutions.
