Trending 
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold neutrality in its dealings with political parties.
Many Nigerians and supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have criticised INEC for its recent actions in addressing the ADC’s internal crisis, which stems from claims by party factions over who should be the party’s legitimate leader.
INEC, on April 1, removed the names of former Senate President David Mark and other members of the Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the ADC from its portal following a Court of Appeal ruling ordering the conflicting factions to maintain status quo ante bellum.
Some Nigerians allege that the electoral umpire is pandering to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which is allegedly using it to maintain its hegemony in Nigerian politics.
In a statement issued on Friday, Osigwe advised INEC officials and its chairman, Joash Amupitan, to be independent and uphold democratic values.
OUR LAWS AND DEMOCRACY MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL TIMES
The Nigerian Bar Association @NigBarAssoc has closely monitored recent political and legal developments as the nation gradually approaches the 2027 General Elections. These developments, particularly those arising from the… pic.twitter.com/jcFAOjcVkF
— AFAM OSIGWE (@afamosigwe) April 10, 2026
“The NBA calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission to exercise its expanded supervisory powers with utmost neutrality, independence, and fidelity to democratic values. The Commission must not, under any circumstances, be perceived as a participant in political engineering or as an institution whose regulatory authority is deployed in a manner that weakens political pluralism,” said Osigwe.
“The Chairman of INEC, being a distinguished Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is uniquely positioned to appreciate the constitutional implications of these developments. The NBA expects that the Commission, under his leadership, will ensure that its actions reflect independence, fairness, and strict adherence to democratic norms.”
Osigwe also said the NBA is closely watching the INEC’s conduct and expects that its regulatory role will strengthen, not diminish, confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
