NBA ELECTION SCANDAL: Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya vows to resign if rigging is proven
The newly elected president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN), has pledged to step down from her position if credible evidence proves that her victory in the association’s national elections was manipulated.
Badejo-Okusanya, who made history as the first woman to win the presidency of the NBA through a direct vote, disclosed this during a candid interview on the current affairs program Beyond The Headlines.
Responding directly to allegations surrounding the outcome of the polls, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria firmly rejected claims of electoral irregularities, reaffirming her commitment to integrity, transparency, and the rule of law within the legal community.
On election integrity, Badejo-Okusanya addressed murmurs of electoral manipulation, asserting that she values her integrity above title or office and would resign immediately if any claims of rigging in her favor were substantiated.
She cleared the air on speculation that she was the anointed candidate of the outgoing NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), emphasizing that her campaign relied entirely on merit, platform, and organic support across branches.
She revealed details of her post-election outreach to her opponents—fellow Senior Advocates Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe and Olumuyiwa Akinboro—to foster collaboration and move the association forward.
Addressing questions regarding whether having a sister serving in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet would compromise her independence, Badejo-Okusanya insisted that the NBA under her leadership will remain strictly autonomous, principled, and dedicated to holding power accountable.
”The legal profession stands as the conscience of the nation. We must uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and the rule of law at all times.”
Badejo-Okusanya’s election marks a major milestone for the Nigerian Bar Association. While Dame Priscilla Kuye previously led the association between 1991 and 1992 through constitutional succession, Badejo-Okusanya becomes the first woman in the NBA’s 66-year history to secure the top seat through a direct ballot mandate.
As she prepares to assume office, legal practitioners and public observers alike will be watching closely to see how her administration navigates internal bar reconciliation, judicial reforms, and key public interest issues.
