Ejiofor hails NBA President-elect Badejo-Okunsanya, says victory marks beginning of greater task

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

ONITSHA — Human rights lawyer, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has congratulated Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, SAN, on her emergence as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), saying her election victory marks the beginning of a greater responsibility.

In a statement issued on Wednesday titled “The Ballot Has Spoken: A New Chapter for the Nigerian Bar,” Ejiofor said the conclusion of the election should pave the way for unity, reconciliation and renewed focus on repositioning the legal profession.

He congratulated Badejo-Okunsanya, describing her emergence as the product of a keenly contested election and a sustained engagement with members of the profession across the country.

“Since the ballot has spoken and the contest is over, it is now time for the NBA to move beyond the rhetoric, recriminations and bruised emotions that inevitably accompany every fiercely contested election,” he said.

Ejiofor acknowledged that disagreements, complaints and criticisms were common features of democratic processes, particularly within a professional body such as the NBA, but urged members to accept the outcome and work towards strengthening the association.

He noted that while the three Senior Advocates who contested for the presidency brought their visions, experience and competence to the race, only one candidate could emerge victorious.

“Three candidates may contest; three may inspire; three may deserve admiration; but three cannot, by the very logic of electoral democracy, emerge President at the same time,” he said.

The lawyer called on members of the Bar to lower the temperature of post-election discussions and give the incoming administration the opportunity to discharge its responsibilities.

He also advised senior members of the profession to exercise restraint in airing grievances publicly, stressing that constructive criticism remained necessary for institutional growth but should not diminish the dignity of the legal profession.

“The Bar does not need to turn every disagreement into a television series, nor should every electoral grievance be given a permanent residency in the studios of every available media platform,” he said.

Addressing the President-elect, Ejiofor urged Badejo-Okunsanya to be magnanimous in victory and extend a hand of fellowship to other contestants.

He said those who contested against her should not be regarded as defeated enemies but as valuable partners in advancing the NBA.

“The election may have produced one President, but it must not produce a divided Bar. The Bar must evolve, but it must evolve without losing its soul,” he added.

Ejiofor, however, charged the incoming NBA leadership to address critical challenges facing lawyers, including the declining economic viability of legal practice, welfare of young lawyers, professional opportunities, access to justice, independence of the profession and public confidence in the justice system.

He expressed hope that Badejo-Okunsanya’s administration would be guided by courage, inclusiveness and reforms aimed at strengthening the association.

“Election victory is only the beginning. The Bar now awaits the legacy,” he said.

Ejiofor further described the new NBA president’s mandate as an opportunity to deliver meaningful transformation, adding that the campaign had ended and the responsibility of leadership had begun.