In a major boost to the nationwide call for electoral reform, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, on Monday, May 19, 2025, received a delegation from the National Democratic Institute (NDI) at the NBA House, Abuja, for an advocacy and consultative meeting on the future of electoral integrity in Nigeria.
The delegation, led by NDI Program Director Ben Aga and joined by representatives from the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), sought the NBA’s partnership in the drive for people-driven electoral reform across the country. According to Aga, the NBA has recently demonstrated commendable leadership in defending democracy and the rule of law, earning the confidence of stakeholders and democratic institutions both at home and abroad.
“We are here because we have witnessed the NBA’s firm voice under your leadership, particularly in calling out undemocratic policies. We believe the NBA is a natural ally in the national push for credible elections,” Aga said.
Also speaking, Femi John, Head of Programs at KDI, highlighted that over 5,000 young Nigerians surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s electoral process. He emphasized the need for critical reforms including the unbundling of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the establishment of an Electoral Offenses Commission, and the need for election petitions to be resolved before elected officials are sworn into office.
“We need stronger legal frameworks for accountability, especially in prosecuting electoral offenders. The NBA has the credibility, structure, and national spread to lead this conversation,” John noted, extending an invitation to the NBA President to serve as keynote speaker at the upcoming National Dialogue on Electoral Reform.
In his response, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the NBA’s readiness to support the advocacy for electoral justice and democratic deepening in Nigeria. While acknowledging systemic weaknesses, he stressed that reforms must go beyond laws to include a transformation of the political culture.
“The truth is, changing laws alone won’t fix our electoral problems. We need to reform the minds of political actors and the institutions that enable impunity. Justice must not be lost in technicalities,” Afam Osigwe stated.
He cited his observations during the recent Ghanaian elections as a member of the Yiaga Africa Election Study Mission, contrasting the level of transparency in the Ghanaian collation process with Nigeria’s flawed system. He emphasized the importance of restoring trust in electoral institutions and pledged the NBA’s full participation in the reform agenda.
“The NBA is committed to working with NDI and its partners to ensure electoral justice, prosecute offenders, and make democracy work for the Nigerian people. Justice is not just a legal ideal, it is the foundation of national stability,” he concluded.
The meeting underscores a growing coalition of voices, including civil society, youth movements, and the legal community, calling for bold reforms in Nigeria’s electoral architecture to ensure future elections reflect the true will of the people.
