Mr. Olumide Akpata, the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has made a resolute decision to disengage from his esteemed position as Senior Partner at Templars, one of Nigeria’s most prominent law firms.
Akpata’s announcement, conveyed through the company on August 24, 2023, states his intent to enter the arena of active politics and make a tangible contribution to the nation’s development.
According to the official statement released by Templars, Akpata formally informed the firm’s management and fellow partners about his political aspirations.
As part of a mutually agreed decision in alignment with the firm’s governance protocols, Akpata will officially step down from his position within the law firm on Thursday, August 31, 2023.
The statement issued by Templars read, “The Partners and management of TEMPLARS wish to announce that a Senior Partner at the Firm and the immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Olumide Akpata, has formally informed the Firm of his decision to participate in active politics. On account of this, and in line with the Firm’s governance protocols, Olumide Akpata and the Partners of the Firm have agreed that he disengages from the Firm with effect from 31st August 2023. This will enable him to fully focus on his project of contributing towards nation building.”
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Olumide Akpata’s foray into politics comes as a surprise to many, considering his illustrious legal career and the respect he commands in legal circles.
However, recent developments in his life have pointed toward this new direction. The former NBA President recently declared his membership in the Labour Party, expressing a strong desire to play an active role in shaping the nation’s future rather than merely critiquing from the sidelines.
Akpata has been actively participating in Labour Party activities within his home state of Edo, leading to widespread speculation that he may be gearing up for a gubernatorial bid to succeed Governor Obaseki.
While this development has created a buzz in Nigerian politics, it remains uncertain whether Akpata will officially run in the upcoming Edo state election, scheduled to be held around September next year.
The legal luminary’s decision to transition from the courtroom to the political arena underscores the evolving landscape of Nigerian politics, where individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise are increasingly participating to drive positive change in the country.
As Olumide Akpata embarks on this new chapter of his life, all eyes will be on his political journey and the potential impact he may have on the nation’s governance and development.