Ahead of the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential election, legal luminaries Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) have urged members from the Southwest region to support a candidate from Osun state.
Olanipekun and Akintola, who spoke at the NBA Oyo branch's One Day Symposium and Bar Dinner, stated that it is the turn of the Oyo/Osun block to produce the next NBA president, as Edo and Delta states had previously produced candidates who won against Southwest contenders in 2020 and 2014.
Chief Akintola, speaking on behalf of the Egbe Amofin (a group of Southwest states), said the decision was made to ensure fairness and equity among the members. He explained that while Ekiti and Ondo states had produced NBA presidents, and Oyo had also produced one in the late Chief Richard Akinrinde (SAN), Osun state had never had an NBA president.
"Fair is fair; it is only Osun that has not produced an NBA President. I am from Oyo, but I will not deceive you, and I will not deprive you of your right. We had done it before, but Osun has not. We are elderly and so we cannot create problems for you younger ones. Talk to yourselves and agree that it is the turn of the Osun people," Akintola urged.
Chief Olanipekun, who chaired the event, corroborated Akintola's position, stating that the decision was made during a meeting of the Egbe Amofin. He emphasized the need for unity and fairness among the Yoruba people, citing the example of how the group unanimously supported the candidacy of Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) in Ondo state.
The event was attended by various dignitaries, including the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division, Justice Misitura Bolaji-Yusuf, the Chief Judge of Oyo state, Justice Iyabo Yerima, and several other legal practitioners and community leaders.