Official Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association — 2026
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Official Publications

Guidelines & Regulations

Official electoral rules, campaign guidelines, and process documents issued by the Electoral Committee governing the 2026 NBA elections.

Notice No. 4 Currently the only guideline published — page updated as new guidelines are released.
This page will be regularly updated
Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) 2026

Notice No. 4 on the NBA 2026 Elections:
Provisions, Guidelines and Rules in Respect of Campaigns and Other Matters Connected Therewith

Dated: 13 February 2026 NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended 2025) Section 10 & Second Schedule

Distinguished Colleagues, further to the ECNBA Notices No. 2 & No. 3 regarding the election of National Officers and the Eighteen (18) representatives of the NBA at the General Council of the Bar, and pursuant to the provisions of the NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended in 2025), specifically Section 10 and the Second Schedule, the ECNBA hereby issues Notice No. 4 on the Provisions, Guidelines and Rules to govern campaigns for the 2026 National Elections, aimed at ensuring campaigns that are decorous, issue-based, and free from undue influences, inducements and other constitutional breaches and infractions.

Note: "Election year" for the purpose of this Notice No. 4 means this year (2026).

1 Commencement and Duration of Campaigns
● Prohibition of Early Campaigning: No aspirant, candidate, or supporter shall commence any form of public campaign until the ECNBA officially releases the final list of cleared candidates and declares the date for commencement of campaigns by candidates.
2 Permissible Campaign Activities

Campaigns shall be restricted to professional interactions focused on the candidate's vision for the Bar in the following manner:

a) One-on-One Engagement: Candidates are encouraged to engage members through personal visits, phone calls, and private messages.
b) Manifestoes and CVs: Candidates shall submit an electronic copy (not exceeding four A4 pages) of their Curriculum Vitae and Manifesto to the ECNBA. These will be published on the official NBA/ECNBA website and in a special electronic Election Magazine.
c) Electronic Communication: Concise electronic messages promoting the candidate's programme are permitted.
3 Prohibited Conducts and Materials

To maintain the dignity of the profession and ensure a level playing field, the following are strictly prohibited:

a) Campaign Materials/Gifts: The distribution of physical campaign materials or gifts of any kind is strictly prohibited at all NBA events. This includes, but is not limited to, posters, banners, flyers, branded apparel (shirts or caps), badges, souvenirs, and all other items (e.g. bags, diaries, bottled water).
b) Video and Audio Jingles: There shall be no use of video representations, animations, or audio jingles by or on behalf of any candidate.
c) Philanthropy as a form of Campaign: Professional development grants, welfare gestures, full or discounted payments of subscriptions, sponsorships, or any other financial "interventions" announced or undertaken by aspirants or their proxies during the election year are prohibited.
d) Physical Souvenirs: There is a ZERO-TOLERANCE policy for the distribution of branded or unbranded gifts (bags, diaries, water, etc.) during the election year (2026).
e) Donations and Philanthropic Gestures: Any form of donations and philanthropic gestures by candidates seeking election into any national office during the election year is hereby prohibited. Any candidate who contravenes this provision shall be disqualified from being voted for in the election.
f) Branches, Sections and Fora Soliciting Contributions: All Branches, Sections, and Fora are prohibited from soliciting contributions, funds, donations or sponsorship from prospective aspirants or candidates during the election year.
g) Derogatory Utterances: Any aspirant or candidate who makes, publishes, or permits derogatory material against an opponent shall be disqualified from participating in the election.
h) Dissemination of False Information: Any aspirant or candidate who supplies false information about their qualification shall be disqualified and referred to the Disciplinary Committee for sanctions.
i) Financial Inducements: Any form of financial inducement — including paying annual practising fees or branch dues — to curry favour is prohibited and shall result in disqualification. Provided that payment of fees for lawyers in direct employment of the candidate shall not be construed as financial inducement.
j) Invitation for Sponsorship: No Branch, Section, or Forum shall invite prospective aspirants or candidates to sponsor events or programmes. Any officer or member who does so shall be deemed guilty of professional misconduct and referred to the Disciplinary Committee.
k–l) Group Endorsements: No Branch, Section, or Forum shall endorse any prospective aspirant or candidate for any elective position. Any officer or member who endorses or causes to be endorsed any candidate shall be deemed guilty of professional misconduct and referred to the Disciplinary Committee.
m) Endorsement by National Officers and Branch Chairmen: The President, National Officers, and Branch Chairmen are prohibited from openly endorsing or campaigning for any candidate.
n) Spending Beyond Prescribed Limits: The ECNBA shall prescribe limits for electoral expenses. Any candidate who violates the prescribed limit shall be disqualified from participating in the election.
4 Other Grounds for Disqualification of a Candidate

In addition to all the above, a member shall not be eligible for election as a National Officer or Representative to the General Council of the Bar if he/she:

Is not a Nigerian Citizen.
Is a member of a registered political party in Nigeria.
Has been adjudged bankrupt or made a compromise with creditors.
Is adjudged mentally unfit by a competent medical authority.
Has been convicted of a crime involving fraud or dishonesty by a court of competent jurisdiction, or found guilty of misconduct or professional impropriety by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).
5 Sanctions for Non-Compliance / Infractions / Breaches

Candidates are reminded that under the Second Schedule of the NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended in 2025), any candidate who contravenes these Guidelines and Campaign Rules — either personally or through a third party acting with his/her knowledge — shall be disqualified by the ECNBA and referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for prosecution as professional misconduct where appropriate and applicable.

Dated this 13th day of February, 2026 — Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association