Mahmoud wins 2016 NBA elections •Supporters bicker over ‘rigging’

Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, was on Monday, declared winner of the 2016 presidential election of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Mahmoud, a former Attorney-General of Kano State polled 3, 055 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Joe Kyari Gadzama, who polled 2, 384 votes.

He was around 1 o’clock Monday morning declared winner of the keenly contested presidency of the NBA.

Other winners were Mr Caleb Gal Dajan, first vice-president; Mr Monday Ubani, second vice-president and Mr Benedict Oji, third vice-president, all of whom were returned unopposed.

Mr Isiaka Olagunju polled 2,721 votes to beat Mr Desmond Yamah, who polled 2,510 votes, while the post of first assistant secretary went to Mr Okey Leo Ohagba, who had 2,402 votes to beat his closet rival, Mr Olukunle Edun who polled 1, 653 votes. Mr Enebi Mohammed Salihu polled 1, 067 votes to place third.

Other winners are Ugbuji Cecilia Ngede, Second Assistant Secretary; Ado Aisha Abdullahi, Treasurer; Adesina Adegbite, Welfare Secretary; Ngozi Udodi, Financial Secretary; Dorcas Ngwu, Assistant Financial Secretary; Chuwuemeka Mbamala, Assistant Publicity Secretary, and Oyeyemi Rafiu Balogun, Legal Adviser.

Meanwhile, supporters of Gadzama and Mahmoud engaged themselves in a war of words over allegations of plans to rig the elections.

Opening the can of worms, a key supporter of Gadzama, Mr T. T. Hyundu wrote: “Gentlemen, it has been discovered that the NBA EXCO fraudulently created a portal for A. B. Mahmoud, where the result is collated separately from the original portal.”

Not done, Hyundu who is also the Assistant Secretary of Arewa Lawyers Forum (ALF) said: “Furthermore, there are additional names added to the branches e. g. 200 names were added to Abuja branch just to enable them have their way. I now understand the basis of our opponents.

But the Mahmoud camp quickly fired back, with Jibrin Sam Okutepa saying: “Mr Hyundu I don’t think giving your propensity to make wild and unsubstantiated allegations, I will be bothered about what you post. But having invited me and the fact that I am a stakeholder in this project of the Bar, I am forced to react thus: That your allegation of manipulation of voter register with over 200 members to favour one candidate against your preferred candidate must be proved by you and you need to supply sufficient particulars.

“Two, your assertion that NBA president allowed presidential candidates and, indeed, other candidates to have experts represent them at the secretariat which I confirmed to be correct is in sharp contrast with the allegation in litigations sponsored by your preferred candidate that the president did allow experts to represent candidates.”