The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has suspended its 2026 presidential election following a cyberattack on its electronic voting platform just hours before voting was scheduled to begin.
Voting was expected to commence at 12:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, but the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) announced that the online voting system came under what it described as a deliberate, coordinated and sustained cyberattack aimed at disrupting the electoral process.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the ECNBA said the attack targeted the technical infrastructure supporting the association’s nationwide electronic voting platform.
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The committee disclosed that cybersecurity experts, working with the Election Voting Service Provider (EVSP), immediately activated emergency response measures to contain the breach, protect the platform and preserve the integrity of the election.
According to the ECNBA, comprehensive security checks are underway, adding that voting will commence immediately after the system has been fully restored and certified secure.
The committee clarified that no voting had taken place before the attack and that no ballots were cast through the compromised platform.
It urged eligible lawyers to remain calm and await official updates while warning members against accessing unofficial websites or links that may be connected to the attempted cyber intrusion.
Despite the disruption, the ECNBA said the election process remains under its supervision, with candidates, their agents and accredited observers present at the central monitoring centre in Abuja to monitor developments.
Three Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) are contesting the NBA presidency. They are Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe and Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya.
The election has been preceded by months of controversy, including court cases challenging the process, disagreements over zoning arrangements, allegations of bias against the NBA leadership and claims of external interference.
Earlier in 2026, an Oyo State High Court restrained the NBA from conducting the election following a suit filed by four lawyers. However, the Court of Appeal in Ibadan later set aside the order, ruling that the lower court lacked jurisdiction and clearing the way for the election.
The poll also attracted controversy after some presidential candidates called on NBA President Afam Osigwe to resign over allegations that he failed to remain neutral. Osigwe denied the allegations, maintaining that only the NBA National Executive Council has the constitutional authority to alter the election timetable.
Before the cyberattack, the ECNBA had announced that 82,213 lawyers from 139 NBA branches were eligible to vote. It also disclosed that officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) would monitor the election from a central control room in Abuja.
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