Post by Ibadan Watch (@Ibadanwatch)

Badejo-Okunsanya Pledges To Lead NBA With Integrity After Election Victory.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, has been elected the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), pledging to lead the association with integrity, courage and accountability while prioritising lawyers' welfare and the unity of the Bar.

Badejo-Okunsanya secured 12,317 votes to defeat Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe (SAN), who polled 7,934 votes, and Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN), who garnered 5,855 votes. A total of 26,184 votes were cast electronically, representing a 36 per cent turnout from over 82,000 registered voters. She also becomes the first woman to be elected President of the NBA.

In her acceptance speech, the president-elect thanked members for their confidence and promised an inclusive administration focused on improving professional development, strengthening the association and ensuring lawyers "earn better, live better and practise better." She also called for reconciliation, urging members to remain united after the keenly contested election.

However, the election was overshadowed by controversy as defeated candidates Akangbe and Akinboro rejected the outcome, citing alleged technical failures, irregularities and widespread disenfranchisement caused by glitches on the electronic voting platform. The Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) attributed the disruptions to a coordinated cyberattack that delayed the commencement of voting.

Outgoing NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) appealed for calm and moderation, urging lawyers to avoid actions capable of deepening divisions within the association. He expressed confidence that the ECNBA would review the election process and recommend reforms to strengthen future NBA elections.

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