The 2026 presidential election of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has triggered both celebration and controversy, following the emergence of Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, as president-elect.
Badejo-Okusanya secured 12,317 votes (47.18%) to defeat her closest rival, Mr. Lateef Akangbe, SAN, who polled 7,934 votes (30.39%), while Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, came third with 5,855 votes (22.43%). A total of 26,106 lawyers participated in the electronic voting process.
Her victory makes her only the second woman to lead the NBA since its establishment in 1933. She is expected to be sworn in as the association’s 33rd president on August 21, 2026.
While many members praised the election as credible and efficient, the outcome has been strongly contested by her opponents. Both Akangbe and Akinboro rejected the results, alleging irregularities and manipulation of the electronic voting system.
Akinboro described the exercise as flawed and accused the NBA leadership of influencing the electoral committee. Akangbe also raised concerns during the voting process, citing technical failures, including issues with the voting portal and deviations from agreed guidelines.
However, some lawyers commended the process. Abuja-based lawyer Deji Adeyanju said the system was fast and secure, urging Nigeria’s electoral body to learn from the NBA’s use of electronic voting.
Outgoing NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, denied allegations of interference, maintaining that the electoral committee operated independently. He acknowledged that the election faced challenges, including a cyberattack, but said efforts to disrupt the process were unsuccessful.
The controversy reflects a pattern of disputes in previous NBA elections, with recurring allegations of technological vulnerabilities and lack of transparency.
Responding to the backlash, Badejo-Okusanya acknowledged concerns about the credibility of NBA elections and pledged to prioritize electoral reforms.
“We must have an honest conversation about our electoral process,” she said, adding that reforms would aim to build trust and ensure wider acceptance of future outcomes.
Despite her pledge, legal challenges have already emerged. A group of lawyers has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to halt her swearing-in, while other related cases are pending in different courts.
With litigation underway and divisions within the Bar, uncertainty remains over the transition, even as the president-elect calls for unity and reform.
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