A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afam Osigwe, has been sworn in as the 32nd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) during a ceremony held in Lagos on Thursday.

Osigwe, alongside other newly inaugurated national officers, will lead the association for the next two years, succeeding the immediate past president, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN.

In his inaugural speech, Osigwe commended his opponents, Tobenna Erojikwe and Chukwukwa Ikwazom, SAN, for their conduct during the electioneering process and extended a hand of fellowship to them to work together in advancing the NBA.

Promising to run an all-inclusive bar, Osigwe stressed his commitment to keeping the association united and propelling it forward.

He also assured that under his leadership, the NBA will hold both federal and state governments accountable, ensuring that their policies promote good governance.

“Under my watch, the Nigerian Bar Association will not shy away from holding the federal and state governments accountable. The rule of law must be upheld, and the rights of Nigerians must be protected,” he declared.

The inauguration marks the conclusion of the NBA’s week-long annual general conference, which began on August 23rd.

The Guardian reports that Osigwe was declared the winner by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the NBA, Oluseun Abimbola, after securing 50.52 per cent of the votes cast.

Osigwe received 20,435 votes, surpassing Erojikwe, the Chairman of the NBA Institute of Continuing Legal Education Governing Council, who garnered 10,998 votes (27.19 per cent) and Ikwuazom (SAN), the former Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch, who came third with 9,018 votes (22.29 per cent).