The President-elect and other elected officers of the Nigerian Bar Association on Sunday collected their certificates of return as winners of the just-concluded association’s national officers’ elections.
Mr. Olumide Akpata, President-elect and eight others, who emerged winners in the elections were presented their certificates of return Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association at the national secretariat of the NBA in Abuja, preparatory to their inauguration on August 27.
The event attended by a handful of supporters of the elected members of the incoming executive committee of the association was presided over by the Chairman of the ECNBA, Chief Tawo Tawo (SAN).
Tawo said, “The essence of the NBA elections or the essence of every election is service. And if the purpose is served, why should there be ill will and disaffection? Let us try as much as possible to be united. Let me warn that a house divided against itself cannot stand and shall fall.”
The outgoing General Secretary of the association, Mr. Jonathan Taidi, who represented the outgoing NBA President, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), described the just-concluded elections as free, fair, transparent, and credible.
Taidi said, “The situation whereby as you are voting, you see your votes count as we saw in the NBA election will reduce post-election litigation. The NBA is sending the message to Nigerians that it is possible to have credible elections.”
Akpata is the first non-SAN to be elected NBA President in 31 years, while Joyce Oduah is the first second female to be elected General Secretary of the association after Hairat Balogun broke the jinx in 1981, about 39 years ago.
