In a landmark event for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has been elected as the 32nd president of the association. This change in leadership, effective from the conclusion of the NBA elections, marks a new chapter for the NBA as Osigwe succeeds Yakubu Maikyau, SAN.
The virtual election, held recently in Abuja, saw Osigwe achieve a decisive victory with 20,435 votes. He defeated notable competitors Tobenna Erojikwe, SAN, who garnered 10,998 votes, and Chukwuka Ikuazom with 9,018 votes. The election also saw Sabastine Anyia elected as the 1st Vice-President, Bolatumi Olasunbo Animashun as the 2nd Vice-President, and Zainab Aminu Garba as the 3rd Vice-President. Dr. Mobolaji Idris Ojibara emerged as the General Secretary.
Osigwe’s victory ends the tenure of Yakubu Maikyau, who has led the NBA for the past two years. The official swearing-in of the new executives is set to take place during the NBA annual conference scheduled for August 23 to 28 in Lagos.
Promises and Challenges
In his acceptance speech, Osigwe highlighted his commitment to an inclusive administration and the promotion of the rule of law. He expressed gratitude to his supporters and promised to focus on modernizing Nigeria’s court systems and integrating digital technologies to improve justice delivery.
However, the election was not without controversy. Allegations of a compromised electoral process surfaced, with some candidates, including Chukwuka Ikuazom, claiming that the election results did not reflect the actual vote counts. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), dismissed these claims, asserting that the presidency had no undue influence on the election.
Reactions and Expectations
Legal experts and stakeholders have high expectations for Osigwe’s presidency. Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chief Mike Ahamba urged the new NBA leadership to act as a watchdog for government and legal practices. Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN) emphasized the need for rebranding and cautioned against internal wrangling that could tarnish the NBA’s image.
Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria since 2020, has a legal career spanning 25 years. His previous role as the General Secretary of the NBA (2014-2016) and his reputation for hard work and integrity position him well to address the association’s challenges and drive positive change.
As Afam Osigwe prepares to take over, the legal community watches closely to see how he will navigate the complexities of his new role and impact the NBA’s future.
