Dr. Olumide Akpata, president of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has revealed overcame the power play and defied the odds that stood against his election of the leader of the Bar.

He disclosed the this
while delivering the 46th and 47th Convocation Lecture of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in Benin City, Edo State Capital where he tasked Nigeria on a participatory democracy, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Akpata who spoke on the topic, “Re-prioritazation of education: A panacea for the obstacles challenging national development in the 21st Century Nigeria”, said, ” You have heard about the fact that I became president of the NBA in a keenly contested election. In was faced with the same challenges. How can? It cannot be done.

“He (Olumide Akpata) is not even a Litigator; If you vote for him, it will affect your future in the profession. But we decided to dam the consequences…and what happened? Today, I am president of the Bar. And on a larger scale, if we organise properly, we can enthrone a leadership in this Country that would prioritise education in Nigeria”, he said.

He explained that take to embrace developmental governance and accountable leadership by taking by exercising their franchise and avert a repeat of low voter turnout that was recorded in Anambra State where 250,000 persons out of an estimated 6 million people turned out to vote, decided the faith and direction of the State for the next four years.

“Without taking anything away from Anambra election, we must all all go out and register to vote and begin the process of our Country… This is the only way that Nigeria’s problems can gradually and effectively be resolved. They will try to discourage you that politics is a dirty game, but do not bulge”, he advised.

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