Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has been elected the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Badejo-Okusanya polled 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the total votes cast, to defeat her closest rivals, Mr Lateef Akangbe, SAN, who secured 7,934 votes, and Mr Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, who polled 5,855 votes.

Other elected national officers are Oghenero Okoro, who emerged First Vice President with 11,024 votes, Afam Okeke, elected General Secretary with 8,478 votes, Aghogho Gladys, who won the position of Assistant General Secretary with 14,312 votes, and Chinelo Ofoegbunam, elected Welfare Secretary with 14,911 votes, among other successful candidates.

The Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA), Aham Ejelam, SAN, announced the results at the NBA headquarters in Abuja after the elections, which concluded in the early hours of Sunday.

Similarly, Mr Afam Okeke was elected as the NBA General Secretary for the 2026 to 2028 tenure.

Okeke, who is the immediate past Chairman of the NBA Unity Bar, Abuja won the national electronic elections with a total of 8,478 votes, succeeding Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara.

Dr Rapulu Nduka, a contestant for the post of the general secretary came second with 6,188 votes while Chidi Ezenwafor came third with 4,560 votes.

Okey Ohagba came fourth with 4,100 votes, Nnaebuka Nwaeze fifth with 1,147 votes while Barth Okoye-Aniche came sixth 772 votes.

The voting by accredited members of the NBA took place electronically between 7.35 a.m on Saturday and 7.35 a.m on Sunday.

NAN reports that the live results portal also showed that a total of 82,167 voters were accredited for the general elections exercise on Saturday.

In his acceptance speech, Okeke thanked his colleagues for the privilege and honour of entrusting him with the responsibility of serving as the general secretary of the association.

“The outcome of this election is a testament to our collective commitment to advancing the cause of justice, upholding the rule of law, and fostering a vibrant and inclusive legal community.

“We are all winners. I extend my sincere appreciation to my colleagues and friends who contested with me for their dedication to our profession and democratic process.

“Their passion and dedication to our legal profession ensured that our contest remained focused on substantive issues.”

He equally thanked his campaign team, advisers, volunteers, and supporters who dedicated themselves tirelessly to share his messages with fellow members.

“Your unwavering support, sacrifice, and belief in our mission were instrumental in achieving this electoral success.”

In his remarks, the outgoing NBA President, Mr Afam Osigwe, SAN, said attempts by some colleagues to truncate the election failed, adding that every effort to derail the process was resisted.

He described the period leading to the election as a trying time for the bar, alleging that many went to great lengths to rubbish the association.

He urged those who won to be magnanimous in victory and encouraged those who lost to remain hopeful, saying there was always another day.

Osigwe said the cyberattack showed that more needed to be done in the area of data protection and called for collective efforts to conduct the affairs of the association in an acceptable manner.

He said the story of how the election was almost sabotaged would someday be told.

“The NBA, being an association of lawyers, should be able to determine the course of its electoral process while promoting the rule of law.

“Mistakes might have been made during the process but I have confidence that my successor will correct them.

“I urge winners to extend the hand of fellowship to those who lost and work together with a united front to move the Bar forward. The unity of the bar can not and should never be negotiated,” he said.

He wished the new executive committee a successful tenure and expressed the hope that the NBA would never witness a day when its leaders would be elected by people other than lawyers. (Pieced together from NAN reports)