The Atiku Media Office has accused President Bola Tinubu of attempting to influence the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association leadership election, alleging that the move reflects a broader strategy to manipulate the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, the media office claimed the Federal Government was extending what it described as a pattern of political interference to the NBA election by allegedly seeking to impose a preferred candidate.
According to the statement, the alleged interference mirrors what it said was the ruling All Progressives Congress' plan to weaken opposition parties, undermine democratic institutions and influence the outcome of the 2027 elections.
The media office alleged that government officials had resorted to using the courts to pressure members of the legal profession into accepting a preferred candidate, warning that such actions could erode confidence in democratic processes.
It maintained that the conduct of the NBA election remained the exclusive responsibility of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, constituted by the association's National Executive Council in line with its constitution.
The statement further alleged that attempts to disqualify some aspirants through legal means were part of a broader strategy that could also be deployed against opposition candidates during the 2027 general elections.
The Atiku Media Office also claimed that, despite unsuccessful attempts to delay the election, government officials were allegedly using security agencies to harass service providers involved in the electoral process in a bid to frustrate the exercise.
It warned public officials against interfering in the affairs of the NBA and urged them to allow the association to conduct what it described as a free, credible and democratic election.
The Presidency and the All Progressives Congress had yet to respond to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
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