NBA 2024 Election: Osigwe SAN Emerges 32nd President, Kwara Lawyer, Mobolaji Ojibara, General Secretary
By Omowumi Omotosho
Mr Afam Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was on Saturday elected the 32nd President of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA).
Osigwe, a former General Secretary of the NBA between 2014 and 2016, polled 20,435 votes, more than half of the total ballots cast for the presidential position, to defeat his two rivals.
Also, in a notable victory, Dr. Mobolaji Idris Ojibara, a distinguished lawyer from Kwara State, was elected the General Secretary of the Association with 25,713 votes.
The election was aimed at electing new officers across various NBA positions.
The election process, however, was marked by controversy. Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN, a contender in the NBA presidential race, withdrew from the election on the day of voting. He raised concerns over the integrity of the electoral process, alleging manipulation to ensure a predetermined outcome. In a letter to NBA members, Ikwuazom highlighted his belief that despite strong support, the system consistently placed him in third position.
Addressing the situation during a press briefing, at the NBA House Auditorium, Plot 1101 Muhammadu Buhari Way, Abuja, Oluseun Abimbola SAN, Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), clarified that the committee had not received any official notice of Ikwuazom’s withdrawal. He emphasized that the committee had implemented measures to safeguard the election from interruptions and interference.
He also addressed the technical challenges faced during the voting period, including issues with duplicate registrations and incorrect Supreme Court numbers. He assured that all necessary corrections were made to maintain the accuracy and credibility of the election results.
It was revealed that the committee processed 2,183 emails and 3,123 phone calls, providing support to members experiencing difficulties with the voting process. Despite these challenges, the committee remained committed to ensuring every vote was counted and every concern addressed.
Mr. Abimbola revealed that out of 72,069 eligible voters, 40,666 members cast their votes, marking a turnout of 66.4%. He acknowledged the challenges faced during the election, commending the dedication and sacrifices of the committee members over the past seven and a half months. He also underscored the need for robust responses to cyber threats to maintain election integrity.
The newly elected President, Osigwe, who campaigned for office to tackle corruption in the bar and on the bench, is expected to revive the dwindling NBA’s traditional role of holding public officers accountable and take leadership on other issues of public interest.
His legal career has spanned 25 years from when he was called to the Bar in 1999.
Ojibara, the newly elected General Secretary, was Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch {2013– 2015}.
He heads LOFTYHEIGHT, a law firm he set up after leaving the chambers of Dr Salman in 2008 as Head of Chambers.
Mobolaji Idris Ojibara is a consummate barman, erudite scholar, excellent team worker, responsible community leader, administrator par excellence, dependable and reliable subordinate, inspirational mentor to young lawyers, a humble man of uncommon finesse, class and style, cosmopolitan and urbane, bridge builder and exemplary family man.
