The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has invited the European Union (EU), the United States Embassy, the British High Commission, Yiaga Africa, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), and other accredited election observer groups to monitor its 2026 National Officers' Election scheduled for July 18.
The invitation was contained in separate letters signed by the President of the NBA, Afam Osigwe, and made available to journalists on Tuesday.
According to Osigwe, the presence of international and domestic observers is intended to strengthen confidence in the transparency, credibility and integrity of the Association's electoral process.
He described the NBA as Africa's largest professional association of lawyers, stressing that the body has remained steadfast in promoting constitutional democracy, the rule of law, the protection of human rights and the independence of institutions.
"The Nigerian Bar Association has consistently upheld the ideals of accountability, inclusiveness and transparency in the conduct of its internal elections. We believe that the presence of accredited observer missions will further enhance public confidence in the credibility of the process," he said.
The NBA President disclosed that the election would be conducted electronically, with accredited observers expected to monitor proceedings from the Central Election Control Room at the NBA National Secretariat in Abuja.
He explained that the control room would coordinate election management, technical operations, result collation and observer accreditation, while providing observer missions access to engage officials of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) and witness the declaration of the election results.
Osigwe said the decision to invite independent observer groups followed recent attempts by external interests to interfere in the Association's electoral process through efforts to obtain directives aimed at postponing the election and imposing conditions outside the provisions of the NBA Constitution.
He described such actions as unprecedented interference in the affairs of an independent professional body and reaffirmed the Association's resolve to protect the integrity of its electoral process.
The NBA expressed confidence that the participation of both international and domestic observers would reinforce democratic values, promote transparency and strengthen public confidence in the credibility of the July 18 election.
The Association reiterated its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible National Officers' Election in strict compliance with its Constitution and in line with international best practices.
