EXCLUSIVE: ‘I WON’T CONTEST NBA PRESIDENCY IN 2026,’ SAYS AJIBADE
A major development in the build-up to the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential election emerged at the weekend as one of the strong hopefuls, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN said he would not contest the election.
CITY LAWYER recalls that Ajibade, a highly respected senior lawyer, was the runner-up to former NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata during the 2020 edition of the NBA presidential election. While Akpata polled 9,891 votes to win the tripodal election, Ajibade polled 4,328 votes while returnee candidate Chief Dele Adesina SAN garnered 3,982 votes.
Ajibade’s strong showing surprised bookmakers, given that he was seen as a new-kid-on-the-block who somewhat upstaged Adesina, a battle wearied NBA political warhorse.
NBA political watchers had anticipated that Ajibade may be the candidate to beat in the 2026 election, given his strong showing in the 2020 election cycle as well as his reputation as a ‘gentleman.’
But all this has become academic as Ajibade told CITY LAWYER at the weekend that he would not join the fray in the 2026 presidential election. Asked whether he would throw his hat into the ring, Ajibade said: “I am not running!”
Prodded further on whether he is likely to change his mind along the way, he asked: “What will make me do that?” adding that he is “categorical” about his position.
Though the senior lawyer did not proffer any reason for his decision, a top political associate told CITY LAWYER that the decision is not unconnected with the controversies that trailed last year’s NBA presidential election.
His words: “His decision is based essentially on Chukwuka’s (Ikwuazom) experience during the last election. Until there is transparency in NBA Elections, decent people are likely to shun the exercise than waste their precious time.”
In a “Thank You” message to his supporters after the election, Ajibade wrote:
HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO ALL MY SUPPORTERS
“I say a heartfelt thank you to all the persons too numerous to mention, who supported my aspiration to be elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association.
“Though we did not get the result we wanted, the experience has been rewarding and fulfilling. I have met and established lasting bonds of friendship with colleagues from different parts of our great country Nigeria who share my values and aspirations for a better, stronger and united legal profession.
“To all those who sacrificed their time and resources, both material and otherwise, I owe a lasting debt of gratitude. I pray that God will reward each and every one of you.
“Thank you and God bless.”
CITY LAWYER recalls that Ikwuazom had sensationally pulled out of the presidential election midstream, citing sundry irregularities. His quest for access to the voting resources in order to audit the election was turned down by the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA), citing data privacy reasons among others.
With Ajibade quitting the stage, the coast is now clear for other aspirants to slug it out at the poll for the coveted position of NBA president.
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