NBA resisted attempts to interfere with its independence – Osigwe

Former NBA President Afam Osigwe SAN stated last Friday that his administration steadfastly resisted any attempts to undermine the association's independence. Speaking at the NBA's 2026 Annual General Meeting in Port Harcourt, Osigwe highlighted the administration's efforts to strengthen the NBA's financial standing, digital infrastructure, welfare programs, professional regulation, and legal education.

He emphasized the NBA's defense of the judiciary's independence and its opposition to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, as well as the suspension of democratically elected institutions. Osigwe stressed that political disagreements and legislative or executive conflicts do not offer sufficient constitutional grounds to suspend elected governments or displace democratic institutions.

The former president clarified that the NBA's move to relocate its 2025 Annual General Conference to Enugu was a testament to its commitment to constitutional principles. Additionally, Osigwe detailed a successful legal challenge against proceedings seeking to restrain the Electoral Committee of the NBA from conducting the elections, which the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, ruled in favor of the NBA.

The association also rejected a directive from the Attorney-General of the Federation, arguing that it was unconstitutional and beyond the AGF's powers. The NBA invited international observers to monitor the electronic voting process, and Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya was elected as the 33rd president of the NBA with a 31.86% voter turnout.

Osigwe urged the incoming administration to accept the election results and called for support for the new leadership, warning of the necessity for stronger data protection in light of the cyberattack that disrupted the election process.