“TERMS OF REFERNCE 

The expectations of the Bar and the generality of Nigerians are not complex. All the people want is to be led by its chosen leaders. They are aware that imposters and interlopers are there to serve their own interests and not that of the People. This cycle of electoral fraud can only be stopped by conscientious and effective electoral monitoring. My understanding of election monitoring is not limited to the actual stage of voting and the counting of ballots. It starts with the voter registration program which commenced with fits and starts. It is hobbling on now but the role of our 88 branches nationwide is to set up Voter Registration Complaint Centres to provide detailed report on the exercise. By detailed, we mean detailed with sufficient particulars to enable us and other like minded reasonable people to come to a conclusion that the voter registration exercise was successful The new EWG is to coordinate on a nationwide basis and submit its report as collated from all our branches to the President of the NBA on or before the 10^th of February 2011. The report will be presented to NEC at its Awka meeting holding 16-18 February 2011. 

It is expected that the Election Working Group would forthwith open a link in the NBA website where laws, rules, guidelines and regulations guiding the general elections can be assessed. The Branches can also use such a medium to update on the events in their various states relating to preparations for elections and impediments to the electoral process. The Branches shall send reports and such reports will be analysed and used in the issuance of monthly updates on the electoral process. It is also incumbent on the Electoral Working Group to organise a training program for key officers in the various branches who will in turn replicate same in their branches for the purpose of election monitoring. These branches will be properly programmed and primed to monitor all aspects of the electoral process. As I said ensuring good governance is part of the mandate of the Bar Association and part of its social responsibility. Finally the Leadership of the Bar through or in conjunction with the Election Working Group will initiate discussions with the security agencies to ensure a secure environment for the elections. It would set up meetings with traditional and religious leaders and other leaders of thought. It must work with the Electoral Justice Committee to drive the program for electoral justice by ensuring that the constitutional and legal framework for electoral dispute resolution is fair and just to all. We will not fight shy of suggesting amendments that will improve the climate of elections in Nigeria. This in a nutshell is our collective mandate. The Group will isolate its functions therefrom and proceed with dignified haste. Delay is dangerous.”

MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE

1. Dafe Akpedeye SAN          
2. Festus Okoye
3. Emeka Nwagwu
4. Reuben James
5. Tunde Aiku
6. Okey Ajunwa
7. Olufemi Sarumi
8. Gany Ajape
9. Adebayo Ojo
10. Tess Morris Okeke
11. B. A. Waziri
12. Lema Sambo Wali
13. Ajileye Bimbo
14. Love line Okah. 

• NBA Election Working Group Website