Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of attempting to influence the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) election, warning that the alleged actions could foreshadow the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Atiku Media Office, the former vice president alleged that the Federal Government was backing a preferred candidate in the NBA election.
According to the statement, the alleged interference reflects what Atiku described as a pattern of “state-sponsored” political manipulation, which he claimed could undermine democratic processes.
He further alleged that the administration was employing the courts and other government institutions to influence the NBA poll, warning that such actions pose a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Atiku also claimed that security agencies were being positioned to frustrate the electoral process, alleging that the strategy could be replicated during the 2027 general elections.
The allegations followed the circulation of a document reportedly linked to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, which allegedly proposed postponing the NBA election, dissolving the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA), replacing the election service provider, introducing National Identification Number (NIN) verification and constituting a caretaker committee.
However, the Nigerian Bar Association rejected the reported recommendations.
The Presidency and the Office of the Attorney General had not publicly responded to Atiku’s allegations at the time of filing this report.
