Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) were reportedly divided over the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) election during a closed-door meeting of the Body of Benchers (BoB) held in Abuja.
According to sources familiar with the meeting, the session, which lasted several hours, was marked by intense disagreements among top legal practitioners over the direction and credibility of the NBA electoral process.
The report indicated that prominent legal figure Wole Olanipekun SAN backed a particular candidate, Akinboro, while lawyers from the Midwest region reportedly resisted mounting pressure to align with certain interests.
The development highlights growing tension within the legal community ahead of the NBA elections, with concerns over influence, neutrality, and transparency dominating discussions.
Meanwhile, another senior lawyer, Osigwe, was said to have acknowledged an error in earlier remarks suggesting neutrality, further fueling debate among stakeholders.
Although not directly involved in the BoB deliberations, the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), chaired by Aham Ejelam SAN, remains central to the controversy.
The ECNBA is constitutionally responsible for organising and conducting NBA elections. However, several lawyers have criticised the committee for what they described as its silence amid the escalating crisis.
Observers say the situation reflects deeper divisions within the NBA, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the unity of the legal profession in Nigeria.
The outcome of the dispute is expected to shape the direction of the association and influence confidence in its leadership ahead of the election.
