The outgoing President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe (SAN) says all petitions to the NBA National Officers Election Appeal Committee appeals, seeking the cancellation of the July 18 poll have been dismissed….
The outgoing President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe (SAN) says all petitions to the NBA National Officers Election Appeal Committee
appeals, seeking the cancellation of the July 18 poll have been dismissed.
He said this during the Annual General Meering of the Association on Thursday, adding that a formal report by the Appeal Committe was being awaited.
This comes ahead of his hand-over on Friday to his successor, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN), who emerged the winner of the presidential election, havinf polles 12,317 votes, ahead of two other contenders, Lateef Akangbe (SAN) who scored 7, 934 votes and Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN) who had 5,855 votes.
In his remarks, Mr Osigwe assured that efforts would continue so as to improve the NBA’s electoral process.
“We will keep working on our electoral process to avoid any further controversies. This time around,
we published the name of the voters, shortly after the election, just as we promised, and no one has come to say “i didn’t vote but i saw my name.”
During the course of the meeting, Mr Akangbe stood up to move a motion for a committee to be set up to ensure accountabilty and transparency during National Bar Elections.
But in his response, Mr Osigwe said, that such a proposal can’t be made by a motion in an AGM.
He added, “I am leaving office, Mrs Badejo will be the next president. This AGM has no powers to tie her hands. If she wants to make it a priority, she will set the tone for her government tomorrow (Friday). And then, if such an opportunity presents itself, you better prepare a proposal on how to make those reforms. Until then, this matter remains closed.”
Meanwhile, Mr Akangbe confirmed to TVC News, that the Appeals Committee dismissed his petition. In his reaction, he maintained that the election was inconclusive, because only 26,106 NBA members voted out of a total of 82,213 eligible voters. He alleged that the majority persons that didnt vote were dissenfranchised owing to major lapses by the Electoral Committee.
He added that his request to be given access to the voters’ register, fnal result sheets and other technical data to support his petition was denied.
In his words, “NBA says members can’t audit the election process. They are not accountable to anyone. Going to the Appeals Committee to file an appeal, is it really set up to ensure justice? What justice can be done within 28 days?”
When asked for the implication of his presence at the AGM, he said he remains committed to the Bar and mentorship.
“I remain a Bar man, i lead a generation of lawyers who look up to me for leadership and direction. I am not going to abandon them or leave the NBA. I remain a leader, regardless of title. We will continue doing what we believe in. It’s not about title, but leadership.”
Meanwhile, the Handing Over and Inauguration Ceremony of the newly elected National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association will hold on Friday, the 28th of August, by10:00 a.m.
at the Ceremonial Court, High Court Complex, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
