NBA Presidency: Pressure mounts on Adesina as Ajibade concedes, congratulates Akpata

0
105

Following his defeat at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential election, Dr Babajide Ajibade has congratulated winner, Olumide Akpata, piling the pressure on co-contestant, Dele Adesina.

Mr Akpata became first non-SAN to be elected in more three decades after Chairman of the NBA Electoral Committee Tawo E. Tawo (SAN) announced the results early Friday.

Akpata won the election by over 50 per cent, amassing 9,891 votes of the total 18,256 ballots cast with closest rival Ajibade picking 4,328 while Adesina polled 3,982.

Before the eventual announcement of results, Adesina had called for the cancellation of the exercise, describing it as “a sham”.

The ex-NBA Secretary-General said in a petition to the NBA Electoral Committee chairman that the process was marred by over-voting, disenfranchisement of some eligible voters and non-compliance with the provisions of the NBA Constitution.

He claimed that the verified voters’ list was only published about five hours to the commencement of voting contrary to the provision of the NBA constitution (2015), as amended.

According to him, the constitution provided that the list be released not later than 28 days before the election.

However, on his part, Ajibade has extended a hand of fellowship to Akpata in a congratulatory message on Friday morning.

While admitting that the ” process leading up to and during the election itself has, once again, not been devoid of controversy”, he revealed that he had already contacted the new president to congratulate him.

Ajibade expressed gratitude to his supporters, regretting that while “we did not get the result we wanted, the experience has been rewarding and fulfilling”.

Read his full statement below:

I have called Mr. Olumide Akpata and congratulated him on his election as the 30th President of our great association, the Nigerian Bar Association, in the elections held on 29th – 30th July 2020.

As a co-contestant in the elections, I am proud of the level of the debate and the quality of the ideas that were brought forth, for the improvement of our association, the welfare of its members and the good of our society.

It is unfortunate that the process leading up to and during the election itself has, once again, not been devoid of controversy.  It is my fervent hope that we will get over these repeated challenges with conducting objectively free and fair elections into the leadership positions in the association.

I remain resolute in my belief that we cannot succeed in addressing the challenges confronting our profession unless we unite and I urge the incoming President and his executive to take deliberate and proactive steps to unite the Bar.

Heartfelt Thank You to all my supporters.

I say a heartfelt thank you to all the persons too numerous to mention, who supported my aspiration to be elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Though we did not get the result we wanted, the experience has been rewarding and fulfilling. I have met and established lasting bonds of friendship with colleagues from different parts of our great country Nigeria who share my values and aspirations for a better, stronger and united legal profession.

To all those who sacrificed their time and resources, both material and otherwise, I owe a lasting debt of gratitude.  I pray that God will reward each and every one of you.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here