With only two days remaining until the scheduled election, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) faces significant internal turmoil that threatens the viability of its national leadership contest. Although the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), led by Aham Ejelam, SAN, has cleared 35 candidates for various positions, legal disputes and political friction have stalled the process.
Three Senior Advocates are currently contending for the presidency, which has been zoned to the Western region. These candidates include Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, SAN, and Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN. The Western zone encompasses lawyers from Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, and Ondo States.
The current instability stems from a legal challenge initiated by the Incorporated Trustees of Egbe Amofin O’odua, a group of Yoruba-origin lawyers. They are seeking to enforce a consensus agreement that favors Aare Akinboro as the sole candidate. This led to multiple interim injunctions from the Oyo State High Court, with Justices Y. S. Adekunle and G. A. Opayinka halting parts of the electoral process.
Further complicating the situation, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, advised the disbandment of the current electoral committee and the postponement of the vote. NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has publicly rejected these directives, labeling them unconstitutional and an infringement on the autonomy of the legal association. Meanwhile, some candidates have accused President Osigwe of bias, demanding his resignation and the establishment of an independent oversight committee.
As the conflict persists, the candidates continue their campaigns. Aare Akinboro is promoting his 3Rs agenda, Lateef Akangbe is running on an Elevate The Bar platform, and Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya focuses on five pillars aimed at improving the economic well-being of legal professionals. With over 140,000 members eligible to vote, the future of the Saturday election remains highly uncertain.
