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How ‘Baby Lawyer’ Beat 2 SANs In NBA Election
Ladies Also Break The Ceiling
By GWG Staff
Olumide Akpata, a Warri based commercial lawyer has emerged as president of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA after beating two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs in the electronic poll conducted on Thursday.
Beyond the defeat of the SANs, the election also broke other ceilings as three women emerged as national officers in the eight man national executive that was conducted online. Women were elected as general secretary, assistant secretary and as treasurer.
At 48 and with a practise experience of about 20 years, Akpata may not be called a baby lawyer. However, he may be so called compared with his rivals who are both SANs.
With 62% of the votes turned in at 23.00, Akpata won with 54% of the votes with his two rivals, Babatunde Ajibade, SAN and Dele Adesina, SAN polling 23 and 21% respectively of the votes.
It is the first time since Alao Aka-Bashorun emerged president of the NBA in the eighties that a lawyer from the outer bar would lead Nigeria’s law association.
Akpata, a young lawyer was known to have mobilized social media and appealed to the younger lawyers for their votes.
He passed over the traditional authorities of the Senior Advocates by appealing directly to the younger lawyers who in the one man one vote culture heeded his call for radical reforms in the operations of the NBA.
However, the enthusiasm for Akpata’s presidency of the bar has, however, been called to question as some allege that being an oil and gas corporate lawyer that even if he desires that his partners may rein him in if he so desires to use the body to confront the government.
John O. Aikpoko-Martins emerged first vice-president with 34% of the vote shared with five other contestants while Kazeem Debo Adeyemo emerged as second vice-president.
A lady, Joyce Oduah is the General Secretary and another lady, Esther Nwadialo emerged as Assistant Secretary.
Another lady, Mercy Agada is to serve as treasurer while Olakunle Edun emerged as welfare secretary. While Raphael Anagor was returned unopposed as financial secretary.
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