The Eti-Osa Bar Forum hereby congratulates the newly-elected National Officers’ of the Nigerian Bar Association.

We are of the view that the keenly contested elections, despite denials to the contrary, was fraught with irregularities. According to the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association itself, it was revealed that 18256 ballots were submitted of 29636 eligible voters (205 opened) while 28525 emails and 17887 SMS sent of which 15234 notices remain undeliverable.

There are allegations of missing names , voters who could not receive links and those who could not carry out successful verification and the late publishing of the final verified Voters’ list , one hour to the commencement of the elections.

Nevertheless, we congratulate the winner for the
Office of the President, Olumide Akpata who won with a total of 9,891 votes (54.3%) defeating Julius Oladele Adeshina, SAN and Dr. Babatubde Ajibade, SAN, FCIARB who polled 3,982 and 4,328 votes respectively.

We also congratulate the winner for the office of the 1st Vice President, John O. Aikpokpo-Martins, who won with a total of 6,010 votes, defeating Sulayman, Dawud Adamu, who pulled 1958, (11.7%), Ajoba, Oluwaseun Ezekiel, who pulled 1201(7.2%) Akinlade, Adebayo Ademola, who pulled 2108 (12.6), Adetunji, Adedotun Habeeb who pulled (1689) (10.1%) and Siyonbola Ganiyat Adetutu who pulled 3940 (23.6%)

Similarly, we congratulate the winner of the election into the office of 2nd Vice President, Adeyemo, Kazeem Debo who won with 8,794 votes defeating Abimbola, Adesola Sunday, who pulled 6432(43.1%)

In addition, we congratulate the winner of the election into the office of General Secretary, Oduah, who Joyce won with 8,979 votes defeating Muoka, Alexander Nduka, who pulled 5763(33.3%), Ohagba, Okey Leo who pulled 2443(14.1), and Yakemewerigha, Christopher Opute, who pulled votes (2.7%)

Also, we congratulate the winner for the office of Assistant Secretary, Nwadialo, Esther Uchenna who won with 7, 314 votes defeating Agi, Anne Uruegi who pulled 7067(40.6%)votes and Osagie, Aigbokhai Oaikhena, who pulled 3039(17.4%) votes

We congratulate the winner of the office of Treasurer, Mercy, Ijato Agada, who emerged unopposed.

Furthermore, we congratulate the winner of the election for the office of Welfare Secretary, Edun Olukunle who won with 9,001 votes defeating Anyia, Sabastine Abuo, who pulled 7619(45.8) votes

Also, we congratulate the winner for the office of Financial Secretary, Anagor, Raphael Nnamdi, who emerged unopposed.

For the office of Publicity Secretary, we congratulate Nduka, Rapuluchukwu Ernest (PhD.) who won with 11,964 votes, defeating Sokoya, Olayinka Ayodeji, who pulled 4998(29.5%)

Finally, we congratulate the winner of the election for the office of Assistant Publicity Secretary, Naza, Ferdinand Afam who won with 6,490 votes defeating Aigbokhan President E., who pulled 2691(16.0%) votes, Ajiboye Charles Olawale, pulled 5752(34.3%), while Ochenehi Dominic Sunday pulled 1858(11.1%) votes.

We are of the view that the newly-elected OLUMIDE AKPATA-led national leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association must rally an inclusive Bar by mending fences with all candidates and aspirants in the elections.

We reiterate our call for the institution of the Eti-Osa Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association in due course.

We also call for genuine electoral reforms which includes but not limited to deployment of NBA APP from payment of Bar Practicing Fees to verification and voting. This can also be deployed for the sealing of processes . This must be combined with heavy push for judicial reforms.

OLADOTUN HASSAN ESQ.
Chairman

AYO ADEMILUYI ESQ.
Secretary