Former NBA Chairman, Olumide Akpata Quits Law Firm to Pursue Political Ambition

The former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olumide Akpata has decided that he would no longer continue his ambition as a Senior Partner at Templar's law firm because he wants to join politics.

This was made in a statement made on August 25. He said his resignation from the law firm will take effect from August 31.

• According to the firm's protocol, Olumide Akpata is expected to resign to pursue politics.

This change in ambition came after Akpata declared his interest in joining the Labour Party (LP) in order to contest in the forthcoming 2024 gubernatorial election in Edo State.

His words,

• It is therefore with mixed feelings, but with a great sense of pride and responsibility, that I announce my disengagement from Templars with effect from 31st August 2023.

• This decision, which is not one that was taken lightly, became inevitable in view of my recent foray into active politics with a view to contributing towards the critical task of nation-building.

• I wish to assure the lawyers and staff at TEMPLARS, our clients, the legal community in Nigeria, and the general public that this decision was a collective one, which accords with the Firm’s governance protocols that I signed up to.

• In my absence, our clientele will continue to be served by over 100 lawyers in TEMPLARS led by twenty other partners (across different practice areas) working out of the Firm’s offices in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Accra.

• I sincerely appreciate the Managing Partner, Oghogho Akpata, my other Partners, and the entire staff of TEMPLARS for their unwavering support and for always being there for me.

• Indeed, the story of my life will never be complete without a chapter devoted to the central role that TEMPLARS played therein.