By Yemi Oyeyemi
The Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), Chief Aham Ejelam, SAN, has declared that there will be no shift in the scheduled July 18, 2026, national election of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), insisting that the electoral process will proceed as planned despite mounting pressure and calls for his resignation.
Ejelam also vowed not to succumb to what he described as blackmail, intimidation and personal attacks aimed at derailing the electoral process or forcing him out of office.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the ECNBA chairman reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to conducting a credible election in accordance with the NBA Constitution and the revised election timetable.
“The election remains scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026, in accordance with the revised timetable published by the ECNBA. The committee has publicly reiterated that the process will continue unless altered by a competent constitutional authority,” he said.
Ejelam’s response followed an open letter dated July 11, 2026, by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Yomi Aliyu, SAN, calling on him to resign as chairman of the ECNBA over allegations relating to the conduct of the electoral process.
Responding to the demand, Ejelam dismissed the allegations as unfounded, describing the open letter as one built on “fabricated assumptions, unverified allegations and matters presently awaiting judicial determination.”
He said he would ordinarily not have responded but considered it necessary to correct what he described as misleading claims capable of undermining the integrity of the ECNBA and confusing members of the NBA.
According to him, his appointment as chairman of the electoral committee was neither driven by personal ambition nor political patronage but by a sense of duty to the legal profession.
“My acceptance of the chairmanship of the ECNBA was not motivated by personal ambition, political patronage or any promise of reward. It was an acceptance of a difficult professional responsibility at a critical moment in the history of the Bar. I will not abandon that responsibility merely because Yomi Aliyu, SAN, is unhappy that I occupy that position,” he stated.
The senior lawyer challenged his critic to provide credible evidence to support allegations of corruption against him, insisting that repeated accusations without proof could not substitute for facts.
“He has alleged that I am corrupt without presenting credible evidence. The repeated use of condemnatory expressions cannot transform conjecture into fact, nor can the threat of reputational damage substitute for proof,” he said.
Ejelam maintained that the ECNBA derives its authority from the NBA Constitution and the decisions of the association’s competent organs, stressing that no individual has the power to dissolve the committee or compel its members to resign outside constitutional procedures.
He also rejected claims that the committee was compelled to engage a particular election service provider, insisting that the procurement process followed due process and that no evidence had been presented to establish any wrongdoing by the company.
“The suggestion that the election service provider was imposed upon the ECNBA is false. Any person possessing credible evidence that the service provider has manipulated a previous election or compromised the present process should formally present such evidence to the committee or the appropriate investigative authority,” he said.
The ECNBA chairman further denied allegations that unlawfully acquired data would be used for the election, stating that the committee remained committed to preparing the voters’ register from records lawfully available to the NBA while implementing safeguards to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
He said the publication of the preliminary and branch-by-branch voters’ registers, as well as the opportunity given to members to submit corrections, demonstrated the committee’s commitment to transparency.
Ejelam also took issue with what he described as attempts to apply emotional and reputational pressure on him, saying professional disagreements should be supported by evidence rather than personal attacks.
“My conscience is clear. My commitment is to the Nigerian Bar Association and to the credible discharge of the mandate entrusted to the committee. I will not be intimidated by threats or abusive characterisations,” he said.
Reaffirming the committee’s resolve, Ejelam said the ECNBA would remain focused on delivering a free, fair and credible election, treating all candidates equally and ensuring that every eligible lawyer has the opportunity to vote.
“The ECNBA will remain focused. It will not be distracted by political pressure from any quarter. It will continue to treat all candidates and stakeholders fairly and will conduct the election in accordance with the governing framework.
“Every Nigerian lawyer has the right to vote for their preferred candidate and to be voted for. Our mandate is to ensure that Nigerian lawyers exercise that right.
“May the Nigerian Bar Association emerge stronger, more united and more committed to the rule of law,” he said.