A former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, Mr. Ede Asenoguan has thrown his hat in the ring for the race for NBA 2nd Vice President in the July 20 NBA Elections, CITY LAWYER can report.

CITY LAWYER gathered that Asenoguan may have caved in to pressures from supporters and stakeholders and also in a bid to contribute to the growth of the Bar.

Meanwhile, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report that fiery Bar Leader and former NBA Ota Chairman, Mr. Isaac Ogbah as well as former NBA Sapele Branch Chairman, Promise Ademi-Akpeto have pulled out of the race for the position of NBA Second Vice President.

This may have set the stage for a three-legged race between Asenoguan, former NBA Benin Branch Chairman Pius Oiwoh, and former NBA Lagos Branch Vice Chairman Bola Animashaun.

It is recalled that Asenoguan lost his bid to become NBA General Secretary to the incumbent Adesina Adegbite during the last elections. Adegbite polled 18,536 votes (56.2%) to defeat the three other candidates in the election, namely Yamah Desmond (8,502 votes or 25.8%), Ede Asenoguan (3,997 votes or 12.1%) and Benson Ogiegbaen (1,931 votes or 5.9%).

There are strong indications that Ogbah plans to focus on his legal challenge to the dissolution of the NBA Section of Public Interest and Development Law Executive Committee by NBA National Executive Council.

On his part, Ademi-Akpeto told CITY LAWYER that he was highly aggrieved with NBA for not looking after the interests of its members especially during his quest to ascend the Supreme Court bench, saying that “NBA is paying lip-service to the rule of law.”

Amid speculations that he has stepped down for Asenoguan, Ogbah told CITY LAWYER that he was reluctant to contest against the former Benin Branch Chairman, describing him as “my very good friend.”

His words: “I gave my word I will not contest against him. When I heard he’s contesting, I told him I would step down. Pius is my call mate; Ede is my good friend.”

CITY LAWYER gathered that while Oiwoh has maintained a low profile before now, the entry of Asenoguan into the race has roused him to action. A source told CITY LAWYER that he recently issued a statement formally declaring his intention to vie for the exalted office.

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