By Mardiyyah Abubakar
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya has pledged to lead the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) with integrity, accountability and courage after winning the association’s presidential election.
She secured 12,317 votes to defeat Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe (SAN), who polled 7,934 votes, and Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN), who received 5,855 votes.
Badejo-Okunsanya will become the 33rd NBA President and the second woman elected to the office.
In her acceptance speech, she promised to unite the Bar, improve lawyers’ welfare and create opportunities for members to earn, live and practise better.
“I will be a President for every member of the Nigerian Bar Association,” she said, urging lawyers to put the election behind them and work together.
The election recorded 26,184 votes from 82,172 registered voters, representing a 36% turnout.
However, the exercise drew criticism after technical problems disrupted the electronic voting process.
The Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) said a coordinated cyberattack delayed voting, while many lawyers reported problems receiving one-time passwords (OTPs) and accessing the voting portal.
Akangbe rejected the result, describing the election as “shambolic” and alleging that technical failures disenfranchised thousands of lawyers, including himself.
Akinboro also rejected the outcome, calling the election a “charade” and alleging irregularities, poor planning and flaws in the voting process.
Meanwhile, outgoing NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) urged members to remain calm, avoid divisive celebrations and support efforts to strengthen future elections.
