A candidate for the position of the General Secretary in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 2026 National Elections, Chidi Ezenwafor, has faulted the process used.
The candidate made his position on the process that ought to have ended at 7am on Sunday (today) known in a statement on Sunday.
Ezenwafor said: “I have received numerous reports from supporters and members of the Nigerian Bar Association regarding the conduct of the ongoing 2026 NBA National Elections, and I consider it necessary to address the situation.
“The election, which was scheduled to commence at 12:01 a.m., did not eventually begin until approximately 7:35 a.m.
“Upon commencement, it became apparent that certain candidates already had votes reflected against their names before the official opening of the polls, placing them in an early lead—a pattern that has persisted throughout the day.
“This naturally raises serious concerns that deserve a transparent and satisfactory explanation.
“These concerns are rendered even more significant when considered alongside the fact that it was only at about 5:58 p.m. on the eve of the election that the ECNBA requested candidates to submit the particulars of their IT consultants, with a deadline of no later than 9:00 p.m., for purposes of monitoring the election, despite the election being scheduled to commence at 12:01 a.m. and the ECNBA subsequently announcing a revised commencement time of approximately 7:35 a.m.
“This extremely short notice afforded candidates barely three hours to identify, engage and submit the details of their technical experts, significantly constraining their ability to effectively deploy independent technical monitors and raising further concerns regarding the transparency and preparedness of the electoral process.
“As of 8:00 p.m., approximately 23,000 votes had been cast out of over 82,000 eligible voters, representing only about 28% voter turnout after nearly twelve hours of voting.
“Throughout the process, the voting platform experienced repeated glitches and prolonged periods of downtime.
“Many of our supporters have been unable to vote due to failure to receive One-Time Passwords (OTPs), while calls to the designated help lines have reportedly gone unanswered.
“Even more troubling are reports from members who successfully voted but later discovered that their votes were recorded with timestamps ranging between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.—hours before the ECNBA’s stated revised commencement time of approximately 7:35 a.m.
“This inconsistency is both unusual and deeply concerning, and it calls for a clear explanation in the interest of transparency and confidence in the electoral process.
“Equally disturbing is the fact that, even during periods when the voting portal was ostensibly inaccessible to members due to system failures and downtime, the vote tallies of certain candidates continued to increase.
“This has inevitably given rise to a strong presumption among many members that such votes may have been preloaded into the system before voting commenced.
“While we do not wish to prejudge the outcome of any investigation, this anomaly is sufficiently grave to warrant an immediate, transparent and independent explanation by the ECNBA and the service providers responsible for the conduct of the election.
“Taken together, these developments have cast a shadow over what ought to be a credible, transparent and technologically efficient election.
“Confidence in any electoral process is built on transparency, equal opportunity and the certainty that every vote is cast and counted only during the officially designated voting period.
“The anomalies witnessed today undermine that confidence and call into question the integrity of the process.
“Nevertheless, I encourage all my supporters and well-meaning members of the Bar to remain calm, peaceful and steadfast.
“Please continue to make every genuine effort to exercise your democratic right by voting and ensuring that your voices are heard.
“Do not be discouraged by the challenges encountered thus far.
“We are carefully documenting all reported incidents, complaints and developments surrounding this election.
“At the conclusion of the process, these issues will be comprehensively reviewed, and all appropriate steps will be taken in accordance with the Constitution of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Electoral Guidelines and all other applicable legal processes.
“I remain firmly committed to the rule of law, due process, electoral integrity and the protection of the collective will of members of our great Association.
“I trust that the ECNBA will address these concerns with the seriousness, transparency and urgency they deserve in order to preserve the credibility of this electoral process and the integrity of our Association.”
