- NBA election crisis deepens as lawyers report voting irregularities and candidates unable to vote, raising concerns about the electoral process's credibility.
- The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) announced a delay in voting due to a coordinated cyberattack on its electronic voting infrastructure.
- Despite the challenges, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya was elected as the 33rd President of the NBA, becoming the second female leader in the association's history.
- Badejo-Okusanya won the election with 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 percent of the total votes cast.
- The election faced months of litigation and allegations of bias, making it one of the most closely watched NBA elections in recent years.
- The total votes cast in the presidential election were 26,106, with a voter turnout of 31.86 percent from the total registered voters.
- Badejo-Okusanya is the second woman to lead the NBA, following Priscilla Kuye, who served as the first president from 1991 to 1992.
Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has been elected as the 33rd president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), marking a significant milestone as the second female leader in the association's 66-year history.34
Badejo-Okusanya secured 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 percent of the total 26,106 votes cast, defeating her closest rival, Lateef Akangbe, SAN, who garnered 7,934 votes (30.39 percent).57
The election, however, was marred by a series of controversies, including a cyberattack that delayed the voting process and allegations of voting irregularities. Lawyers have raised concerns over the credibility and transparency of the electoral process, with some candidates reporting difficulties in casting their votes.1
The Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) has faced mounting pressure to address these issues, with members demanding greater transparency and assurance that every eligible voter could participate. The outgoing president, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, acknowledged the challenges faced during the election, stating, “Many went to great lengths to truncate the electoral process... but we held firm.”
Badejo-Okusanya's victory is historic, as she follows in the footsteps of Priscilla Kuye, who was the first female president from 1991 to 1992. Her inauguration is set to take place during the NBA's Annual General Conference in August.
The election has been described as one of the most closely watched in recent years, with the ECNBA committed to ensuring a fair and credible process despite the challenges encountered.
“Badejo-Okusanya secured 12,317 votes (47.18%) to defeat two Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) challengers in the electronic poll, which was delayed by a coordinated cyberattack on the voting platform. The Nigerian Bar Association will inaugurate her and other elected officials during its Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt from August 21 to 28.”
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