NBA Lagos Branch Hypocrisy And The Call For Election Audit: A Dissecting Opinion By Christian M. Wanche,

The NBA Lagos Branch’s decision to challenge the election held on July 20, 2024, due to the failure of two of their members to win the presidential election, while simultaneously congratulating another member who won the office of 2nd Vice President, raises questions about their true intent. Are they questioning the entire election or only the presidential result? Furthermore, branches that have accepted and congratulated their elected officials now find themselves at odds with the Lagos Branch’s stance.

Tobenna Erojikwe and Chukwuka Ikwazom, both members of the NBA Lagos Branch, are contesting the election held on July 20, 2024. They did not stop there; they have tried to jointly use the influence of their branch, the largest in Nigeria, to achieve their aim. It becomes curious that they could not use this unity to choose a single candidate among themselves, rather than both running and splitting the branch’s vote for the office of NBA president. This division likely gave Mazi Afam Osigwe a better chance of winning.

Since the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) adopted electronic voting, every election has been marred by allegations of irregularities. Prominent examples include J.K. Gadzama contesting A.B. Mahmoud’s victory, Arthur Obi-Okafor challenging Paul Usoro’s win, and Dele Adesina disputing Olumide Akpata’s election. Notably, Tobenna Erojikwe, Akpata’s campaign director, did not call for an audit then, as it benefited him. Similarly, J.K. Gadzama questioned Y.C. Maikyau’s win, while Chukwuka Ikwazom and Tobenna Erojikwe, who endorsed Maikyau, did not demand an audit.

However, at the NBA Lagos Branch’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on July 26, 2024, both Tobenna Erojikwe and Chukwuka Ikwazom challenged the recent election of Mazi Afam Osigwe on July 20, 2024, citing unsubstantiated claims of system compromise. Tobenna, in particular, leveraged his experience in the system to assert his position. A motion by Alex Morka for the branch to demand an audit of the election was countered with a motion suggesting that candidates should present evidence of manipulation themselves.

In a tied vote, the branch ultimately decided to request an audit. Ironically, the floor was then given to Bola Animashaun, the newly elected 2nd Vice President, who was congratulated by the branch leadership.

Issues Raised

1. Inconsistency in Approach: It is perplexing that the same branch that questioned the election outcome congratulated another candidate. This contradictory behavior undermines the integrity of their challenge.

2. Branch versus Candidate: If branches begin to question elections on behalf of candidates, it could lead to increased divisions within the NBA, as any losing candidate’s branch might raise objections.

3. Sudden Scrutiny: The sudden interest in election integrity by Tobenna and Chukwuka, who have not previously questioned NBA elections, appears self-serving, especially given the lack of presented evidence. Their own split candidacies likely contributed to their loss.

4. Potential Misuse of Branch Resources: The challenge seems more about pursuing personal grievances than genuine concerns about the election’s fairness. Demanding access to voting data under the guise of auditing could be a strategy to target specific voters.

Way Forward

1. Evidence-Based Redress: Tobenna and Chukwuka should provide concrete evidence of manipulation. Specific cases where individuals were unable to vote or received incorrect voting notifications should be documented, and the relevant details submitted for investigation. Tracing IP addresses of questionable votes can verify their claims.

2. Avoiding Baseless Allegations: The ECNBA, under Abimbola, has made significant strides in improving the electoral process. Unfounded allegations can undermine these efforts and damage the association’s credibility.

Conclusion

Strengthening the position of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) requires evidence-based challenges and constructive feedback to improve future elections, ensuring the integrity and unity of the NBA are maintained.

As the resolution is published, it is crucial that the dissenting voices of the Lagos Branch members are duly captured and considered. This will not only provide a balanced perspective but also foster transparency and accountability within the association. Moving forward, all stakeholders must prioritize the association’s unity and integrity above personal grievances to maintain the credibility of the NBA’s electoral process.