ANALYSIS: UWANNA, NTA EKPIKEN EMERGE CHAIRMAN, SECRETARY AS NBA LAGOS BRANCH HOLDS POLLS

 

THE SQUIB authoritatively reports that Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna has emerged as Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch.

 Uwanna scored 590 (71.8%) votes while his runner-up, Mr. Anthony Atata, trailed with 186 (22.6%). Mr. Seth Amaefule scored the least votes, which is, 46 (5.6%)

In a related development, Ms. Nta Ekpiken, emerged as the new Branch Secretary with 533 votes. Shola Abiloye was the first runner up with 258 votes while James Sonde came third with 33 votes.

It will be recalled that the two offices were the ones up for contest as the other offices had candidates standing unopposed.

 

THE SQUIB gathered that one major factor that sprung victory for Uwanna  is the panache that he brought to his campaign. He equally enjoyed a formidable team of enthusiastic supporters who were regularly bombarding WhatsApp groups in which NBA Lagos Branch members are located.

It will also be recalled that Uwanna has served as Secretary of the Branch under Chukwuka Ikwuazom's Chairmanship of the Branch between 2017 to 2019. THE SQUIB obtained information he leveraged on his earned reputation and support base in the Branch to clinch victory.

Anthony Atata, the runner-up is well known as Publisher of CourtRoom Mail. He brought his media skills to the fore during the campaign. THE SQUIB gathered that the chink in his armour could be his late participation in the race due to an early disqualification which was subsequently set aside and his near lack of a team of campaigners.

Seth Amafuele , who took the last position is a former Secretary of the Branch. His most distintive message is the need for Bar activism. However, with NBA Lagos Branch known for his conservatism, he sounds like an evangelist with a "strange gospel" in a "strange land". Despite his loss, the validity of his message will echo .

In the race for Secretary of the Branch, it was clear to many pundits as THE SQUIB gathered that Sola Abiloye's unnecessary petition to the Electoral Committee  against Nta for her disqualification, which was overruled has pitted her to win the race. Sola Abiloye's participation, according to feelers , THE SQUIB gathered is also perceived in some quarters as breach of the unwritten  "ethnic balancing agreement" among Barmen in NBA Lagos Branch that the Yoruba and Igbo/South South  ethnic stock will alternate the core leadership of the Branch, to wit, Chairman and Secretary, every two years. 

This unwritten "ethnic balancing agreement" was believed to have commenced with the Ogunleye-led Chairmanship which was succeeded by Ikwuazom's Chairmanship, followed by Akangbe with Moshood Abiola as Secretary.