Ajibade concedes defeat, congratulates Akpata on his victory as new NBA president
Co-contestant for the office of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Babatunde Ajibade (SAN) has conceded defeat to and congratulated the NBA President-Elect, Olumide Akpata.
Newsclickng.com reports that in all a total of three candidates contested for the position of the NBA president.
While Akpata polled a total of 9,891 votes, Babatunde Ajibade (SAN) polled 4,328 votes and Deacon Dele Adesina (SAN) polled 3,982 votes.
The 2020 Elections into national offices of the NBA opened at 11.00p.m on Wednesday (July 29) with a total of 29,635 accredited voters, and ended at 11.00p.m on Thursday (July 30)
A total of 18,256 ballots was cast. The results of the elections were announced by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) Mr Tawo Tawo.
With the votes cast and concluded, Akpata who is also a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law, (NBA-SBl) will now succeed Paul Usoro (SAN) has the 30th President of the NBA.
Read Ajibade’s full congratulatory message to Akpata below:
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO OLUMIDE AKPATA ON HIS ELECTION AS THE 30TH PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION
I have called Mr. Olumide Akpata and congratulated him on his election as the 30th President of our great association, the Nigerian Bar Association, in the elections held on 29th – 30th July 2020.
As a co-contestant in the elections, I am proud of the level of the debate and the quality of the ideas that were brought forth, for the improvement of our association, the welfare of its members and the good of our society.
It is unfortunate that the process leading up to and during the election itself have, once again, not been devoid of controversy. It is my fervent hope that we will get over these repeated challenges with conducting objectively free and fair elections into the leadership positions in the association.
I remain resolute in my belief that we cannot succeed in addressing the challenges confronting our profession unless we unite and I urge the incoming President and his executive to take deliberate and proactive steps to unite the Bar.
HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO ALL MY SUPPORTERS
I say a heartfelt thank you to all the persons too numerous to mention, who supported my aspiration to be elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Though we did not get the result we wanted, the experience has been rewarding and fulfilling. I have met and established lasting bonds of friendship with colleagues from different parts of our great country Nigeria who share my values and aspirations for a better, stronger and united legal profession.
To all those who sacrificed their time and resources, both material and otherwise, I owe a lasting debt of gratitude. I pray that God will reward each and every one of you.
Thank you and God bless.
Dr. Babatunde Ajibade, SAN, FCIArb
