Egbe Amofin O'odua Rejects 2026 NBA National Officers' Election Results

The Rejection

Egbe Amofin O'odua, a forum of Yoruba lawyers within the Nigerian Bar Association, has rejected the outcome of the NBA's 2026 National Officers' Election, declaring that it does not recognise the results or the process that produced them. The group's position was contained in a communique issued after an Extraordinary General Meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday, August 8, 2026, signed by its Governing Council Chairman, Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, SAN, and General Secretary, Prince Adeniyi Adetunji Oso.

The Complaints

According to the group, its decision followed a review of the conduct and outcome of the election and complaints raised by presidential candidates and other Bar members. Egbe Amofin alleged that the voting platform became inaccessible shortly after voting began, preventing a significant number of eligible lawyers from casting their ballots. It also raised concerns that some presidential candidates were themselves unable to vote, and pointed to reports of more than one voting platform being used during the exercise. The forum further questioned the extension of the voting period beyond its originally announced closing time and alleged changes to the electronic ballot interface following a suspension and resumption of voting. While acknowledging some complaints would require further investigation, the group maintained the volume and seriousness of the issues raised were sufficient grounds to reject the outcome.

Election Backstory

The rejection adds to months of disputes surrounding the NBA's 2026 election cycle. Egbe Amofin had insisted the NBA adopt presidential aspirant Aare Akinboro, SAN, as its consensus candidate for the Western Zone, which produces the next NBA President. In a suit marked I/205/2026, Justice Y. S. Adekunle of the Oyo State High Court granted an interim injunction on February 24, 2026, barring the NBA from recognising nominations outside that arrangement. A separate suit, marked I/221/2026, led Justice G. A. Opayinka of the same court to issue a further injunction halting steps toward the election. That injunction was later set aside by the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, which ruled on July 14, 2026, that the Oyo State High Court lacked jurisdiction, clearing the way for the election to proceed as scheduled.

What's Next

Separately, the NBA had pushed back against an alleged Attorney General directive to halt the process, with NBA President Afam Osigwe, SAN, insisting only the National Executive Council held the power to postpone the poll. With the election having gone ahead despite these objections, Egbe Amofin's latest communique signals the dispute over its legitimacy is unlikely to end with the results, keeping the NBA's leadership question unresolved going into the new term.