Distinguished Colleague,
With just hours to the commencement of the Osun State Governorship Election, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Election Working Group (EWG) has concluded its final strategic briefing, reaffirming the Association’s commitment to credible, impartial, and professional election observation across the State.
The high-level meeting, which lasted for over five hours, was held on Friday afternoon at the NBA Osogbo Branch Secretariat under the leadership of the Chairman of the NBA Election Working Group, Mr. Festus Okoye, who charged members of the observation mission to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, courage, and neutrality throughout the electoral process.
Present at the meeting were the General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr Mobolaji Ojibara, Secretary of the NBA Election Working Group, Khalid A. Khalid; the NBA Programme Officers, Ms. Oti Edah, Chioma Onyeje and several branch leaders and officials drawn from across the country. Among them were Saheed Olayemi Abiona, Immediate Past Chairman of NBA Osogbo Branch; Maruf Adediran, Chairman of NBA Osogbo Branch; Ms. Kemisola Kafayat, Chairman of NBA Young Lawyers Forum, Osogbo Branch; Adewusi Adewole of NBA Ile-Ife Branch; Ms. Comfort Olubunmi, Treasurer, NBA Ile-Ife Branch; Babatunde Akanbi, Secretary, NBA Ile-Ife Branch; Adefunso Esan, Chairman, NBA Ilesa Branch; Ayodele Olawoye, Chairman, NBA Ile-Ife Branch; Lawal A. Amah, NBA Funtua Bar Leader; Chief Bola Abimbola Ige, Vice Chairman, NBA Osogbo Branch; Adetunji Apara, Past Chairman, NBA Osogbo Branch; and Joseph Martins of NBA Kaduna Branch, alongside other members of the national observation team.
Welcoming participants, Mr. Okoye reminded members that the responsibility before them extends far beyond mere attendance at polling units.
“On behalf of the Nigerian Bar Association, I welcome you all. The issues before us become more demanding as the election draws closer. Tomorrow will require courage, discipline and professionalism from every member of this team,” he stated.
He informed members that the Election Working Group had successfully collected the official accreditation materials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday, completing one of the final administrative requirements ahead of deployment.
The Chairman also reflected on the visit of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, to Osun State on Wednesday, 12 August 2026. During that visit, the NBA President addressed the press, strongly condemning the recent attacks and killings recorded in parts of the State and reaffirmed the Association’s resolve to contribute towards a peaceful, free, fair and credible electoral process.
Mr. Okoye noted that the NBA President also held strategic engagements with the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, and the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, as part of efforts aimed at strengthening confidence in the electoral process.
Addressing the operational realities of election observation, the EWG Chairman cautioned members against underestimating the challenges they may encounter.
“There will naturally be tension across the State. Tomorrow will only be for the courageous. Your responsibility is to observe, document and report. You are not participants in the election.”
He briefed the observers on the electoral landscape, explaining that voting would take place across the 30 Local Government Areas of Osun State and 3,763 Registration Areas/Wards.
According to him, the State has 2,339,233 registered voters, while 1,906,390 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have been collected, making them the eligible voting population.
For purposes of election observation, he stressed that observers should pay greater attention to the number of PVCs collected rather than the total number of registered voters.
Mr. Okoye further disclosed that 426,842 uncollected PVCs had already been returned to the Central Bank of Nigeria for secure custody pending the conclusion of the election, while 6,101 PVCs had been replaced following approved applications arising from loss, defacement and related circumstances.
To enhance the quality of observation reports, the Chairman directed members to closely monitor voting patterns in Local Government Areas with significant voter populations and high PVC collection rates.
Among the areas identified were:
- Osogbo – 167,704 registered voters
- Ife East – 128,515
- Olorunda – 123,063
- Ife Central – 122,454
- Iwo – 106,814
- Ede North – 96,644
- Irewole – 96,528
He observed that these areas are expected to attract heightened political activities owing to their voting strength.
The Chairman repeatedly reminded observers that election observation is fundamentally different from election participation.
“Do not spend unnecessary time at one polling unit. You are observers, not actors. Politicians naturally pay greater attention to areas with larger voting populations, but your duty is simply to observe objectively, remain impartial and accurately document what you see.”
He also advised members to make adequate logistical preparations before leaving for their assigned locations, including ensuring sufficient fuel and maintaining effective communication throughout the exercise.
Mr. Okoye acknowledged the support being provided by the Chairman of NBA Osogbo Branch and the local organising team, particularly in coordinating muster points and facilitating movement across various parts of the State.
At the conclusion of the meeting, members of the Election Working Group were divided into seven operational teams, each comprising National Officers, members of the Election Working Group and officials of the NBA National Secretariat, including Ms. Oti Edah and Ms. Chioma Onyeje.
The teams were assigned as follows:
Team One: Osogbo, Olorunda, Egbedore, Irepodun, Orolu, Ede North and Ede South.
Team Two: Ifelodun, Boripe, Odo-Otin, Ila, Ifedayo and Boluwaduro.
Team Three: Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Oriade and Obokun.
Team Four: Atakunmosa East and Atakunmosa West.
Team Five: Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North and Ife South.
Team Six: Ejigbo, Iwo and Ola-Oluwa.
Team Seven: Aiyedade, Ayedire, Irewole and Isokan.
Bringing the meeting to a close, the Chairman reaffirmed the Nigerian Bar Association’s commitment to the universally accepted principles of election observation.
“Neutrality is fundamental to this assignment. The NBA Election Working Group will live up to its responsibility by complying with the tenets of election observation. We also expect the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that polling units open on time and that election officials conduct themselves professionally and ethically.”
He added that the NBA Election Working Group would issue both a Preliminary Election Observation Report immediately after the exercise and a comprehensive Final Election Observation Report following the completion of its assessment.
As the Association deploys its observers across the length and breadth of Osun State, the final briefing underscored one clear message: the Nigerian Bar Association remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process through independent, objective and credible election observation.
Stella Charles Akupue
NBA Communication Officer
