SPIDEL 2025 Elections: Is all well?
What was expected to be a routine leadership transition within the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA SPIDEL) has instead degenerated into a major controversy, raising questions about internal democracy, due process, and adherence to the rule of law within a section renowned for public interest advocacy.
In October 2025, SPIDEL constituted an Electoral Committee, with formal notice of its appointment published on the Section’s official platform on 18 October 2025. The Committee, chaired by Mr. Kunle Edun, SAN, issued election guidelines calling for nominations into various elective offices of the Section.
Interested members obtained and submitted nomination forms in line with the guidelines, with the submission deadline fixed for 4 November 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Screening of candidates was conducted thereafter, and by the Committee’s own timetable, the list of cleared candidates was to be published on 17 November 2025.
That list, however, was never published.
As delegates and candidates began arriving in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, ahead of the SPIDEL Conference and Annual General Meeting scheduled for 4 December 2025, rumours began circulating that the list of screened candidates would be discarded and replaced with another list of preferred individuals.
On 3 December 2025, one of the candidates, Ms. Barbara Tosan Onwubiko, who had applied for the position of Treasurer, publicly raised concerns on the SPIDEL platform. She confirmed that she submitted her nomination form on 30 October 2025, met all qualification requirements, and stood unopposed for the office. She called on the Electoral Committee to publish the list of cleared candidates in accordance with the guidelines.
She further reposted the election guidelines, noting that the same situation applied to the office of Secretary, for which Dr. Anne Uruegi Agi had also duly submitted nomination forms and stood unopposed. Both candidates were said to have complied fully with all stated requirements.
Subsequent information indicated that some candidates who met the qualification criteria had been removed from the cleared list and replaced with individuals who allegedly did not submit nomination forms, did not meet eligibility requirements, or were not members of SPIDEL at the material time.
These developments reportedly led the Chairman of the Electoral Committee to decline further participation in the process, citing concerns about deviations from the published guidelines.
The SPIDEL elections were originally scheduled to hold on 4 December 2025 at the AGM, with swearing in slated for the following day. Instead, the process descended into controversy, marking what many observers now describe as a serious blemish on a Section of the Nigerian Bar Association that publicly positions itself as a guardian of justice, integrity, and the rule of law.
The irony has not been lost on members, given that the theme of SPIDEL’s 2025 Conference is “A Banner Without Stain”.
The statement by Ms Barbara Tosan released on the 3rd of December, 2025 is reproduced below:
"Good morning distinguished Chairman and members of the NBA-SPIDEL Election Committee, and my esteemed members of the NBA-SPIDEL,
My name is *Tosan Barbara Onwibiko*, a candidate in the forthcoming NBA-SPIDEL elections, who submitted my forms for the office of Treasurer in compliance with the SPIDEL elections guidelines based on my qualifications. I submitted my form with all documents for the said office precisely on *October 30th at 12:50 p.m.*
We are aware that sometime in October, 2025 members of the Election Committee were appointed to conduct the SPIDEL election, same notice of appointment was posted on 18th October on this platform. Various persons submitted their nomination forms before the close of submission on *4th November 2025, at 5:00 p.m.*
According to the guidelines, the list of qualified candidates is meant to be published on the *17th of November, 2025* ; today is the 3rd day of December, 2025, and the list of qualified candidates has not been published.
We are aware that elections are scheduled to be held *tomorrow, 4th December at the SPIDEL AGM* and the swearing-in on *Friday, 5th December 2026.*
I have heard rumours, but as I said, they are rumours for now. I stand for integrity, truth, and fairness, as well as most of us here.
I most respectfully call on the Chairman of the NBA-SPIDEL election committee, Mr Kunle Edun SAN @SPIDEL Barr. Kunle Edun, SAN Submission Of Forms to kindly release the list of qualified candidates for the SPIDEL elections.
Thank you sir."
More details to follow.
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