NBA presents certificates of return to newly elected officials

Certificates of return were on Sunday, presented by the Electoral Committee of the NBA (Nigerian Bar Association) to the winners of the association’s national officers’ elections which was concluded few days ago.

Mr Olumide Akpata, the president-elect and eight others, who emerged winners in the elections were presented their certificates of return at the NBA national secretariat in Abuja, preparatory to their inauguration on August 27.

The low-key event attended by a handful of supporters of the elected members of the incoming executive committee of the association was presided over by the Chairman of the ECNBA, Chief Tawo Tawo (SAN).

Tawo said,

“The essence of the NBA elections or the essence of every election is service. And if the purpose is service, why should there be ill will and disaffection?

Let us try as much as possible to be united. Let me warn that a house divided against itself cannot stand and shall fall.”

Mr Jonathan Taidi, the outgoing General Secretary of the association, who represented the outgoing NBA President, Mr Paul Usoro (SAN), described the just-concluded elections as free, fair, transparent, and credible.

He said,

“The situation whereby as you are voting, you see your votes count like we saw in the NBA election will reduce post-election litigation.

The NBA is sending the message to Nigerians that it is possible to have credible elections.”

Akpata is the first non-SAN to be elected NBA President in 31 years, while Joyce Oduah is the second female to be elected General Secretary of the association after Hairat Balogun broke the jinx in 1981, about 39 years ago.