DSS releases NBA election service provider as poll holds Saturday

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released the Managing Director of the Nigerian Bar Association’s election service provider, clearing the way for the association’s 2026 national elections scheduled for Saturday, July 18.

The development followed an emergency virtual meeting of the NBA National Executive Council (NEC) on Thursday, where members unanimously resolved that the elections would proceed as scheduled despite the earlier detention.

During the meeting, the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) assured NEC that preparations for the election remained on track and that there was no operational or logistical reason to postpone the exercise.

The committee said all necessary arrangements had been concluded and reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

NEC condemned the arrest and detention of the election service provider’s managing director, describing the action as troubling and potentially disruptive to the electoral process.

The council demanded his immediate and unconditional release, insisting that no action should be allowed to undermine the integrity of the NBA’s democratic process.

Following the conclusion of the meeting, the association confirmed that the official had been released from DSS custody.

NEC reiterated that the 2026 NBA National Officers and General Council of the Bar elections would hold as scheduled on Saturday, July 18.

The council also urged eligible lawyers to participate peacefully in the election and called on relevant authorities to respect the association’s independence and refrain from actions capable of interfering with its democratic processes.