Leading presidential candidate in the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) election, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has issued a heartfelt appeal to lawyers across the country, urging them to vote for a more inclusive, responsive and independent Bar during Saturday’s polls.

In an open letter released ahead of the July 18 election, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria reflected on months of consultations with lawyers across different sectors of the profession and reiterated her campaign message, “Members First. Always.”

Addressing colleagues, Badejo-Okusanya described the election as an opportunity to shape the future of the legal profession.

“In a few days’ time, each of us will cast a vote. Not just for a candidate, but for the kind of Bar we want to build together, and leave to those coming after us,” she wrote.

The presidential hopeful said her nationwide engagements exposed her to the concerns of young lawyers seeking sustainable careers, senior practitioners worried about the future of the profession, public sector lawyers seeking greater recognition, in-house counsel and lawyers living with disabilities calling for increased inclusion.

According to her, one recurring question stood out throughout her campaign.

“What does the NBA do for me?”

She said that question had shaped her campaign and informed her commitment to practical reforms designed to help lawyers “earn better, live better and practise better.”

Badejo-Okusanya stated that her campaign had remained focused on issues rather than personalities, stressing that she deliberately avoided divisive politics.

“I have treated every opponent with respect; I have chosen to focus on issues rather than personalities, and on ideas rather than division,” she said.

On recent debates surrounding the NBA’s electoral process, the Senior Advocate maintained that the association must remain guided by its constitution.

“The NBA belongs to all its members, and the NBA Constitution must govern our affairs. Every constitutionally qualified lawyer deserves the right to vote and freely choose the leadership of our Association,” she wrote.

She described that principle as fundamental to preserving the independence of the Bar and pledged to continue defending it.

Expressing gratitude for the support she has received throughout the campaign, Badejo-Okusanya described the opportunity to engage lawyers across Nigeria as one of the greatest honours of her professional career.

“The opportunity to experience the warmth and kindness I have received from colleagues across Nigeria has been one of the greatest honours of my professional life,” she said.

She thanked members for their encouragement, goodwill and prayers, saying their confidence had strengthened her resolve to serve the legal profession.

In her closing appeal, Badejo-Okusanya urged lawyers to vote with the future of the profession in mind.

“If you believe the NBA should create real value for its members; if you believe every lawyer deserves to be heard, respected and included; if you believe our Bar must remain independent, courageous, compassionate and firmly guided by its Constitution, then I humbly ask for your vote.”

She also reaffirmed her campaign vision of building what she described as a “Bolder Bar” that enables lawyers to move “from surviving to thriving.”

Seeking election as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Badejo-Okusanya concluded her message by declaring: “The Bar is my constituency. It always has been, and it always will be.”

Voting in the NBA national elections is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026.