NBA Election Outcome Remains Contentious, Says Akangbe

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former presidential candidate in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) election, Mr. Lateef Akangbe, has maintained that the controversy surrounding the association’s 2026 presidential election is far from settled, insisting that unresolved issues continue to cast doubt on the credibility of the exercise. 

Speaking during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television on Thursday, Akangbe alleged that widespread irregularities marred the electronic voting process, leading to the disenfranchisement of thousands of eligible lawyers. He argued that the election failed to meet acceptable standards of transparency and fairness. 

According to him, technical failures, including difficulties in accessing the voting platform and receiving one-time passwords (OTPs), prevented many members from participating in the poll. He further claimed that the election process was altered without adequate consultation, raising concerns about the integrity of the exercise. 

Akangbe called on the NBA’s election appeal committee to thoroughly investigate the complaints and ensure that all allegations are addressed in the interest of justice and the credibility of the legal profession. He maintained that the matter should not be considered closed until every concern surrounding the election has been properly resolved. 

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) had earlier declared Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, winner of the election. However, Akangbe has formally challenged the outcome, seeking a review of the process and calling for reforms to strengthen future NBA elections.