The President-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olumide Akpata has stated that if there are genuine allegations that the concluded NBA National Election is fraught with malpractices, the accusers should not hesitate to approach the Court to challenge the process.
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Meanwhile, he noted that the election met his own expectations being a participant in the process.
“The first time we had electronic voting post our constitution amendment in 2016, we had 6,000 voters; 2018, there were about 12,000 voters; 2020, close to 20,000 people. And indeed, it would have been more if not for those who had technical hitches. So, from the point of view of participation, interest of our members, it met my expectations.
“From the point of view of how it was organised by the electoral committee, it fell very short of my expectations in many respects. And I am on record as the only candidate who complained formally about some of those shortcomings. And I am glad to note that at the end of the day, the electoral committee tried to repair some of those defects that I highlighted to them in my two letters to the ECNBA.” He said.
However, owing to growing concerns and allegations that the election was allegedly rigged, he stated that the accusers should feel free to approach the Court.
“I am of the view that if there is any substance whatsoever in their allegations, they would go to court. And the fact that they have chosen not to go to court tells me that these are unsubstantiated allegations. We are lawyers; we operate by the rule of law. So, I think that if they feel so strongly, they will go to court.” He said.
In addition, he stated that being a participant in the process, he did not conduct the election and thus, in the event of any post election issues, the Court is there to intervene.
“Those who ask me about the process, I keep saying to them, I didn’t conduct an election; I participated in an election and at various points in that journey, I identified to those who were conducting the process, what I thought the shortcomings were and I am on record as the only one who essentially did that. So, those who are coming out now (with rigging allegations), they are the ones who do election petitions, I don’t. These are post-election issues. If, indeed, they feel so strongly and they think there was something that was fundamentally flawed, they should challenge it.” He said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Akpata noted that the shortcomings in the election are not so fundamental to the extent of affecting the entire process.
“For me, I say the shortcomings notwithstanding; those shortcomings did not materially impact on the process to the point that there was a subversion of the will of the people. In my view, and I believe in the view of the majority of lawyers in Nigeria, the shortcomings did not impact materially on the will of the people. My emergence as president is a reflection of the will of the majority of Nigerian lawyers. And I don’t think it will be wise on the part of anybody to try to deny Nigerian lawyers of that outcome.”
“I repeat, it is one thing to have conversations and grant interviews as Mr Okutepa or Mr Falana have done. What I think is important that they must do, if they think indeed that that process was as flawed as they have alleged, is that they should go to court.” He added.
In addition, he disclosed that his leadership would embark on the reform of the NBA electoral process swiftly.
“From day one, because it is a bit embarrassing that we who are supposed to be leading are grappling with such a simple issue. From day one, an electoral reform committee will be set up.”
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