African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu of interfering in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) election, alleging that the process could serve as a rehearsal for the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday through his Media Office, the former Vice President claimed the current administration was attempting to influence the outcome of the NBA leadership contest.
Atiku alleges pattern of political interference
According to Atiku, the alleged interference reflects what he described as a broader strategy to weaken democratic institutions and opposition political parties.
He argued that efforts to influence internal elections within professional bodies could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The former Vice President also claimed that opposition parties have faced increasing political and legal challenges ahead of the next general election.
Claims over NBA electoral process
Atiku alleged that attempts had been made to influence the NBA election through legal actions and other means.
He maintained that the conduct of the election should remain the exclusive responsibility of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), as provided under the NBA Constitution.
He further warned against any action that could compromise the independence and credibility of the association’s electoral process.
Calls for credible democratic processes
The former Vice President urged government officials to allow the NBA to conduct its election without interference.
He also alleged that the reported actions reflected a pattern that could affect future electoral contests if left unchecked.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official response from the Presidency to the allegations contained in Atiku’s statement.