Badejo-Okusanya Emerges as Frontrunner in Ongoing NBA Presidential Race

​ABEOKUTA — As the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) holds its national elections today, Saturday, July 18, 2026, early results indicate that Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has established a significant lead in the race for the presidency.

​Data from early tallies show Badejo-Okusanya securing 4,860 votes, which accounts for approximately 41.77% of the ballots counted so far. Her primary opponents, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe (SAN) and Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN), trail with 33.10% (3,851 votes) and 25.13% (2,924 votes), respectively. While officials emphasize that these figures represent a snapshot of the 11,600 votes cast as of 11:33 am, the trend suggests a growing momentum for her candidacy.

​Election Context Amid Controversy

​The voting process proceeds following intense scrutiny and high-stakes administrative meetings. Earlier this week, the NBA’s National Executive Council (NEC) met in an emergency session to reaffirm that the elections would proceed as scheduled, despite recent tensions—including the brief arrest of an election service provider.

​NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) has remained firm in defending the independence of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA). Addressing the media in Abuja yesterday, Osigwe categorically denied allegations of rigging or personal interference. He underscored that the ECNBA operates with full autonomy and that all electoral processes are conducted strictly according to the association’s constitutional framework.

​These assurances were intended to calm concerns raised by various stakeholders and candidates, some of whom had previously called for the postponement of the polls or the implementation of additional verification requirements, such as mandatory National Identification Number (NIN) checks.

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​Focus on Institutional Integrity

​The 2026 election cycle has been marked by rigorous debate over the integrity of the voting process. The ECNBA has maintained that it is solely empowered to oversee the exercise and has worked to ensure that security measures are in place. The voting today serves as a critical test for the association, with the legal community watching closely to see if these democratic procedures can effectively produce a leadership mandate that satisfies the diverse interests of Nigeria’s legal practitioners.

​As the nation awaits the final tally, which is expected to be announced tomorrow, Sunday, July 19, the focus remains on maintaining the stability and reputation of the Bar.

​NBA Presidential Debate 2026: All 3 Candidates Live

​This video provides an independent, in-depth look at the three presidential aspirants, including Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, as they face questions on key issues facing the Nigerian Bar Association.