Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has emerged as the 33rd president of the Nigerian Bar Association after defeating two other senior lawyers in the association’s 2026 national officers’ election.
The Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Aham Ejelam, SAN, announced the results at the NBA National Secretariat in Abuja on Sunday, following the conclusion of the election, which was delayed by technical challenges and a cyberattack.
Ejelam stated that Badejo-Okusanya polled 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the total votes cast, to defeat her closest challenger, Lateef Akangbe, SAN, who secured 7,934 votes, representing 30.39 per cent.
The third presidential candidate, Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, secured 5,855 votes, representing 22.43 percent.
According to the ECNBA chairman, 26,106 votes were cast in the election.
With her triumph, Badejo-Okusanya will be the association’s president for two years, from 2026 to 2028.
Her triumph also makes her the NBA’s second female president, following Priscilla Kuye, who served from 1991 to 1992.
Other elected national officers include Oghenero Okoro, who won the position of first vice president with 11,024 votes; Afam Okeke, who won the position of general secretary with 8,478 votes; Aghogho Gladys, who won the position of assistant general secretary with 14,312 votes; and Chinelo Audrey Ofoegbunam, who received 14,911 votes.
Badejo-Okusanya wasn’t there when the results were revealed.
However, a member of her campaign team, Aminu Gadanya, SAN, ascribed her absence to a flight delay and stated that the president-elect was dedicated to offering a “handshake of friendship” to all dissatisfied candidates in the cause of peace.
“Our colleagues attempted to disrupt the election, but we remained resolute. Every effort to derail this process failed. The Bar is currently facing a challenging period. In the build-up to this election, many went to extraordinary lengths to rubbish the association,” he said.
He urged the newly elected officers to be gracious in victory and encouraged failed candidates to support the new leadership.
“To those who won, be magnanimous in victory; for those who lost, there is always another day. The cyberattack shows that we must do more in data protection. Let us collectively do things in an acceptable manner,” Osigwe said.
He added, “Someday, the story will be told of how this election was almost sabotaged.
“We must be able to promote the rule of law, and the NBA, made up of lawyers, should be able to determine the course of its electoral process. Where we made mistakes, I believe my successor will correct them.
“Winners should extend the hand of fellowship to those who lost and have a united front to move the bar forward.
“The unity of the Bar cannot and should never be negotiated. As I now bow out, I wish the new EXCO all the very best in office.
“May we never see the day when those who lead us will be elected by people other than lawyers.”
Osigwe also stated that the Electoral Committee would conduct a thorough analysis of the electoral process, specifically the obstacles faced, with the goal of increasing confidence in future NBA elections and improving the organization’s cybersecurity and electoral integrity.
