The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has urged winners of the 2026 NBA National Elections to celebrate with moderation and reach out to those who lost, saying the period after the election should be used for healing and rebuilding confidence in the Bar.
Speaking after the announcement of the election results, Osigwe said the conclusion of the poll came at a trying time for the Association, warning that some persons may still attempt to discredit the NBA and its electoral process.
He said the moment called for restraint, unity and deliberate outreach, not only to candidates who lost but also to their supporters who may feel disappointed by the outcome.
“As you celebrate, know that this is a trying time for the Bar. Many persons may yet go to the greatest extent to rubbish the Association and the electoral process. It is a time for healing,” he said.
Osigwe urged the newly elected officers to avoid gloating, stressing that the ultimate winner of the election should be the Nigerian Bar Association.
“At the end of the day, let the Bar be the winner. Moderate your celebration. Do not gloat. The job ahead is much. We must keep the Bar united,” he added.
The NBA President said he had no doubt that the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association would conduct an in-depth analysis of the election process and make recommendations on steps that could be taken to improve future elections and build greater confidence among members.
He said the reported cyberattack on the election platform showed the need for the Association to strengthen not only its cybersecurity framework but also its data protection systems.
“The cyberattack of Saturday night shows that we must do more, not only for data protection, but to ensure that our election is not in any way undermined,” Osigwe said.
He noted that he had only the pre-conference NEC meeting left to preside over, adding that if he did not receive the ECNBA report before leaving office, his successor would receive it.
According to him, the important thing is for the NBA to objectively review the process, identify the weaknesses and develop ways to insulate future elections from similar disruptions.
Osigwe also said the election survived attempts to undermine the process, including the cyberattack which he said forced the ECNBA to rebuild and migrate its ICT infrastructure to a more secure server.
@thenigerialawyer“Osigwe Urges NBA Election Winners Not To Gloat” — Says Bar Needs Healing, ECNBA Must Review Cyberattack, Data Protection Gaps
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He maintained that despite efforts to derail the election, the process was completed.
He urged those who won to be magnanimous in victory and those who lost to support the incoming leadership in the interest of the Association.
Osigwe further stated that the unity of the Bar must not be negotiated, adding that winners should extend a hand of fellowship to those who lost so that the Association can move forward with one voice.
He also warned against any situation where persons outside the legal profession would determine the leadership of the NBA.
“May we never see the day when those who lead us will be elected by people other than lawyers,” he said.
The NBA President said the post-election review would be necessary to strengthen future NBA polls, improve data protection, address cybersecurity vulnerabilities and enhance confidence in the Association’s electoral process.
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