The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gwagwalada Branch, has strongly rejected allegations that the President of the association interfered in the recently concluded branch elections, describing such claims as false, misleading, and deliberately crafted to distort the facts surrounding the electoral process.
In a press rejoinder signed by the Branch Publicity Secretary, Jubril Joseph, the association stated that the narrative being circulated in parts of the media was a calculated attempt to misrepresent the role played by the NBA President during a period of internal tension within the branch.
According to the statement, the NBA President did not interfere in the conduct of the election but rather intervened responsibly in his position as leader of the legal profession to restore peace, order, and stability at a critical moment when disagreements among members threatened to undermine the unity of the branch.
The branch explained that the decisions reached during the election period were not imposed by any individual but emerged from extensive consultations involving the immediate past chairman, respected elder statesmen, and other key stakeholders within the branch. It maintained that the eventual resolutions reflected a broad consensus designed solely to preserve harmony and strengthen the institution.
The statement further alleged that the accusations were largely driven by dissatisfaction with the outcome of the election, noting that some individuals had chosen to attack the leadership of the association instead of accepting the democratic verdict delivered by members.
NBA Gwagwalada insisted that the election results represented the genuine will of the membership, emphasizing that the outcome clearly reflected the preference of the majority of lawyers who participated in the process.
The branch pointed to the emergence of N.D. Abdulsalam as Chairman through what it described as a resounding landslide victory, arguing that the result demonstrated overwhelming support for the new leadership and validated the credibility of the electoral process.
While dismissing the allegations of interference, the association called on members and the general public to disregard what it described as misleading reports capable of creating unnecessary divisions within the branch.
The NBA Gwagwalada Branch also congratulated N.D. Abdulsalam and the newly elected executive team on their victory and urged all aggrieved parties to embrace reconciliation, set aside differences, and work collectively toward the advancement of the legal profession and the continued progress of the branch.
The statement concluded with an appeal for unity, stressing that the interests of the association and the legal community must remain above personal grievances and post-election disagreements.