BREAKING: Mazi Afam Josiah Osigwe Emerges NBA President
Mazi Afam Josiah Osigwe, SAN, has emerged as the president-elect in the 2024 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Officers Election.
The former general secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Osigwe got 20,435 votes to emerge victorious ahead of Mr Tobenna Chigbo Erojikwe who garnered 10,998 to emerge second. Chukwuka Nwabueze Ikwuazom, SAN, came third with 9,018 votes.
According to the results of the elections, which were conducted electronically and monitored by LAWYARD, the official portal of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA), showed that Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara who polled a total of 25,713 clinched the office of the General Secretary of the NBA to beat his sole opponent, Abdulwasiu Alfa to the job. The new General Secretary-elect will be assisted by Henry Barnabas Ehi, who garnered 28,552 votes to beat his only opponent, Oluwaseun Aka.
Other results showed that Sabastine Anyia who scored 12,114 votes won the election for the office of 1st Vice-President of the Association to beat a crowded field comprising five other candidates.
The role of the 2nd Vice-President was clinched by a former Vice-Chairman of the Lagos Bar, Bolatumi Olasumbo Animashaun , who polled 26,534 votes to get the better of her only opponent, Pius Idemudia Oiwoh.
Zainab Aminu Garba scored 23,550 votes to defeat her sole rival, Michael Olanrewaju Olorunmola, in the race for 3rd Vice-President.
Blessing Imo Udofa-Poromon scored 17,998 votes to emerged the next national Treasurer of the Association, following her victory over the pair of Chukwuemeka Mbamala and Caroline Obi.
The office of National Welfare Secretary was won by Nyada Auta, who got 18,369 votes to beat the pair of Oaikhena Osagie and Ernest Ejindu Uwanaka to second and third respectively.
Bridget Ijeoma Edokwe was elected the new Publicity Secretary of the NBA with a total of 19,542. She defeated two other contenders, Charles Ajiboye and Ferdinand Naza, to secure the position, while Ebiere Emmanuella Ekpese beat her only opponent, Lawrence Ayewa, with a vote tally of 26,955 to clinch the position of Assistant Publicity Secretary.
The 2024 elections also saw the formal election of the following officers to serve as NBA Representatives to the General Council (Eastern Zone):
– Augustine Osondu Ike
– Daniel Ka-Ayip Kip
– Eric Chigozie Ibe
– Michael Chukwurah Onuorah, and
– Obi Lawrence Anizoba
The NBA Representatives to the General Council from the Western Zone are as follows:
Israel Solomon Lagbamue
Kingsley Asagba
Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun
Precious Ndidi Nwadimuyah, and
Sulayman Adamu Dawud
The sole NBA Representative to the General Council will be Tijani Magaji.
Meanwhile in a shocking turn of events, Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN, has announced his withdrawal from the race. The announcement came on July 20, 2024, following the commencement of voting earlier in the day.
The Chairman of NBA-SARC in a heartfelt letter addressed to the esteemed members of the NBA, expressed his deep concern over the compromised integrity of the electoral process. He and his supporters observed alarming patterns that did not align with the actual votes cast, consistently placing him in third position despite overwhelming support from his dedicated followers.
Ikwuazom stated, “It would appear that the system has been manipulated to favour a predetermined outcome. As a candidate committed to upholding transparency and the rule of law, I cannot in good conscience continue to participate in a compromised electoral process.”
