By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mr. Afam Osigwe, has emerged as the 32nd President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.

Osigwe, SAN, who previously served as General Secretary of the association, polled a total of 20, 425 votes to defeat his major challenger, Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe polled 10, 998 votes, while a former Chairman of the Lagos Branch of the NBA, Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN), got 9,018 votes that were cast for the position.

Other national officers of the NBA that emerged from the election that commenced by 12am on Saturday, July 20 and ended by 11:59pm, are: Mr. Sebastine Anyia as the 1st Vice President of the association, Mrs. Bolatumi Animashaun as 2nd Vice President and Mrs. Zainab Garba as the 3rd Vice President.

Others are: Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara as the General Secretary, Mr. Henry Ehi the as Assistant General Secretary, Mrs. Blessing Udofa-Poroman as the Treasurer, Mr. Nyada Auta as the Welfare Secretary, Mrs. Bridget Edokwe as the Publicity Secretary, while Miss Ebiere Ekpesie polled 26, 955 votes to emerge as the Assistant Publicity Secretary.

Whereas Mr. Augustine Ike, Mr. Daniel Ka-Ayii Kip, Mr. Ejia Ibe, Mr. Micheal Onuorah and Mr. Obi Anizoba, were elected as representatives of the General Council of the Bar (Eastern Zone), Mr. Tijjani Magaji was elected the sole representative of the Northern zone in the Council, while Mr. Isreal Lagbamue, Mr. Kingsley Asagba, Mr. Olukunle Edum, Mr. Precious Nwadimuyah and Mr. Sulayman Dawud, were elected as representatives of the Western zone.

Announcing the election results on Sunday, Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the NBA, ECNBA, Mr. Oluseun Abimbola, SAN, who is a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, noted that though a total of 72, 059 lawyers were eligible to participate in the electoral process, however, only 40, 656 ballots, representing 56.4%, were cast.

He disclosed that a total of 3,945 ballots were opened but never cast during the election that was done electronically.

Abimbola, SAN, said a total of 233, 524 text messages were exchanged between the Committee and the voters, a total of of 655, 652 emails sent out, with 3,923 calls received from the help lines.

The ECNBA Chairman said his Committee never received any official communication that any of the candidates that contested in the election, withdrew before the process was concluded.

In his speech, the outgoing President of the NBA, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, implored those that lost at the poll to take the outcome in good faith and join the winners to move the association forward.

On his part, the incoming President of the legal body, Osigwe, SAN, while appreciating his opponents, said he would run an inclusive administration that would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure the protection and promotion of rule of law in the country.

Meanwhile, one of the presidential candidates, Ikwuazom, SAN, had midway into the election, announced his decision to withdraw from the process which he alleged was compromised to “favour predetermined outcome.”

In a statement, Ikwuazom, SAN, said: “It is with a heavy heart that I, Chukwuka Ikwuazom, (SAN), announce my decision to withdraw from the 2024 Nigerian Bar Association Presidential race.

“This decision has not been made lightly but is necessitated by a series of alarming developments that have compromised the integrity of the electoral process. Since the commencement of voting earlier today, my supporters and I have observed disturbing patterns that do not align with the actual votes cast.

“It has become increasingly evident that the integrity of the electoral process has been compromised. Despite the overwhelming support from my dedicated supporters, the reported figures do not align with the true expression of our votes.

“It would appear that the system has been manipulated to favour a predetermined outcome, consistently placing me in third position.

“As a candidate committed to upholding transparency and the rule of law, I cannot in good conscience continue to participate in a compromised electoral process.

“Therefore, I am withdrawing from the presidential race effective immediately. While today marks a sombre moment for our bar, let us remain resolute in our commitment to upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and integrity within our noble profession.

“Together, we must continue to strive for a bar association that is free from manipulation and true to the aspirations of its members.”