–By Sodiq Adeyemi & Abass Abiodun Bismilahi

Let me begin this piece by dropping a few quotes about “Unsung Heroes”:

_”Sometimes the most silent heroes are the ones who make the biggest impact”

_”Strength is not always loud, sometimes it is found in the quiet determination of individuals”_

_”True heroism lies in the sacrifices made behind the scenes, away from the limelight”

These three expressions  beautifully captured the essence of those individuals who, even in their silence and quiet mien, manage to create  extraordinary and lasting impacts in the scheme of things.
Often overlooked and underappreciated, these silent heroes possess qualities such as loyalty, selflessness, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the ideals of the institution they represent, and these,  that set them apart.

One of such uncommon  individuals is Hon. Babatunde John Kwame Ogala SAN, FNIM, Fbr, FIMC, iconic legal practitioner, experienced parliamentarian, seasoned politician, exceptional administrator and astute leader.

By all known standards, Hon. Babatunde Ogala SAN is one of the unsung heroes of the 2023 Presidential election’s victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
As a frontline leader of the party and apart from setting up a formidable political machinery that delivered outstanding results for the party  in his Onigbongbo LCDA axis of Ikeja Federal Constituency, Ogala also participated actively in the national operations of the party and shone like a million stars.

*AN EXPERIENCED  LEGAL/POLITICAL  AVATAR*

Being a former National Legal Adviser of the party, Ogala’s experience came handy before, during and after the party’s primaries of May 2022.
Keen followers of political events in the run down to 2023 general elections would  easily recall that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was bombarded with several multifaceted law suits, injunctions and court summons.
These legal encumbrances were intentionally contrived by both disgruntled members of the APC and members of the  opposition parties to stop the ruling party and its candidate, especially Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  by all means possible.

*Ogala As Tinubu’s Collation Agent At National Collation Centre*

Apart from his legal battles and triumphs,  Ogala also served as the candidate agent of President Tinubu at the Presidential Collation Centre during the presidential election of February 2023 where he, alongside others ensured the collation was hitch-free.

*Ogala’ s Legal Blizkrig and Winning Streaks As Coordinator of PLT*

However, deploying his experiences, ingenuity and legal acumen, Barr.  Babatunde Ogala SAN,  who was the Coordinator of  Tinubu’s Presidential Legal Team (PLT) and other members of his squad, won all these cases and  got them dismissed one after another.

It is instructive to note that from pre-election, cases to post election matters, to the tribunal and supreme Court levels, APC did not lose one single case…
All thanks to the professionalism, sacrifice, dedication and smartness of Barr. Ogala and his team in the legal directorate of the APC  Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

*UNDER OGALA, APC/TINUBU NEVER LOST ANY ELECTION COURT CASE*

With Babatunde Ogala SAN in charge as the coordinator of the APC Presidential Legal Team,(PLT), the party and its Presidential candidate never lost any single court case. 

Some of the most popular media headlines around the time were; ” Court Throws Out Another Law Suit Against Tinubu”;
Another Law Suit Against APC Dismissed”;
Suit Seeking Tinubu’s Disqualification Dismissed” and so many others.
Credit for these incredible and unprecedented series of legal victories goes to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria and his team, who engaged in  epic political and legal battles for the party and its Presidential candidates , won all his briefs and came back with garlands.

In an interactive section with the media, shortly after the General elections early last year, Ogala attributed his successes at the courts to his passion to see Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party achieve maximum political and electoral success in the country.

Ogala’s legal voyage continued until after the Supreme Court affirmed the victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR as the duly elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria last September.

*10 MONTHS AFTER, WHERE IS BABATUNDE OGALA?*
The question on the lips of many right now is, after all these historical feats, where is Babatunde Ogala?

In a normal societal system where things function properly and hardwork is rewarded accordingly, without sentiments, Hon. Babatunde Ogala SAN ought to be given the highest available honour and special  recognition award in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and even in the government. But surprisingly this has not been so!

As a matter of fact, a lot of well-meaning Nigerians and keen observers of events who had expected people like  Ogala to be in the front row of those who would play key roles in the administration  of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are somehow in shock to realize that over 10 months after the inauguration of this administration, heroes of the APC battles like Ogala and many like him have not been given any operational post election role to play.

According to some top members of the party in Abuja who spoke with newsapex.com in privacy, “it is very strange, shocking and  absurd, that a legal icon like Barr. Ogala SAN, who fought various legal and political battles for the party before, during and after the elections, has not been given adequate recognition or any post-election role by the government”.

Another party stalwart in Lagos expressed optimism, he said: “The President is known for his ability to recognise  and reward hardwork and loyalty,   I’m sure something positive in that regard will happen in due course.”
This remains to be seen.

*OGALA’S POLITICAL CREDENTIAL*

🟩–Legal Professional spanning  over 35 years at the Bar.

🟩–Former Lagos State House of Assembly member 2003-2007 and Chairman of House Committee on Judiciary Reforms.

🟩–APC National Legal Adviser 2018-2020.

🟩–President Tinubu’s Election Agent at the National Collation Center for the 2023 General election.

🟩–Coordinator, Tinubu Presidential Legal Team, TPLT.

🟩—Member Board of Trustees, APC Professionals Forum and  Chairman, Legal Committee of the Forum.

*OGALA’S PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL PROFILE*

Born to the illustrious Ogala family in Lagos on 15th of July, 1961, Hon. Babatunde John Kwame Ogala SAN, is an exceptionally brilliant legal practitioner, successful businessman and consummate political leader.

He began his Elementary education in Lagos at the Holy Cross School from 1967-73 and proceeded to St. George’s College, from 1974-79 for his Secondary education. Upon completion of his studies, he enrolled at the University of Jos, where he studied Law from 1980 to 1985 after graduating with Honors from the University, he went on to the Nigerian Law School where he graduated and was called to Nigerian Bar in 1986. As a lawyer, the young Babatunde Ogala SAN started his career with the Fonzzy Associates Limited, Lagos, continued in the law firm of Chief Fola Akinrinsola & Co, Lagos; Femi Okunnu (SAN) & Co (Solicitors) and G.M. Ibru & Co, Lagos to mention a few where he distinguished himself as a scholarly  legal practitioner. He was also the General Counsel (Legal Adviser) of Guardian Press Limited.

In 1997, he established the Law Firm of Babatunde K. Ogala (rebranded and named Babatunde Ogala & Co in 2011) which grew in reputation over the years. In 2007 he ventured into politics and was elected a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly. He was also the Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Member of the Finance Committee; Committee on Public Accounts; Committee 77 on Human Rights and Public Petition; Committee on Infrastructure as well as several ad-hoc Committees a position he held till 2011. In 2014, Mr. Ogala was the Consultant to the Lagos State House of Assembly and Conference of speakers. He has also been a Resource Person to the Houses of Assembly of Lagos and Kogi State on Constitutional matters. In 2018, Barr. Ogala returned into Politics and became the National legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress; a position he held till June, 2020.

Babatunde John Kwame Ogala is a Senior Legal Practitioner, Insolvency Practitioner and Former Legislator with 36 years hands-on experience. He is a well-trained Legislator and Solicitor who has attended several training courses and seminars on related matters at the World Bank and International Law Institute, both in Washington USA, USAID, UNDP, British Council, Centre for Management Development, DFID, SAVI and Human Development Initiative. He also attended courses at Thames Valley University, Slough London as well as in Kenya, Tunisia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, India, Canada, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and within Nigeria on varied subjects as Legislative Practices, Legislative Management, Legislative Drafting to mention but a few.
He is a member of the National Council of State Legislatures in the USA and has attended all its Legislative Summits from 2007 to date in New Orleans, Philadelphia, Louisville Kentucky and San Antonio Texas, in the USA. He also attended several International Bar Association Conferences and Seminars as well as Regional Fora on the Court Systems and Judicial Administration.
Mr. Ogala has worked and consulted for International Agencies on Law Review and Reforms. He is also a Securities and Exchange Commission Registered Capital Market Consultant.
He was honoured by the Senate and House of Representatives respectively. of the State of Kentucky, USA
Mr. Ogala is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, African Bar Association, International Bar Association and the American Bar Association, Section on International Law as well as Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria and Capital Market Solicitors Association of Nigeria. While serving as a legislator, he was a member of several standing and ad-hoc Committees of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
He is also a Fellow of the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria; Fellow, Institute of Management Consultants, Nigeria; Fellow of Nigerian Institute of Management; Member; Society

For Corporate Governance, Nigeria; Member of INSOL (The Global Insolvency Body) and Junior Chamber International (A Leadership Development Organisation).
Mr Ogala is also a Member of Ikoyi Club 1938, Island Cub, Lagos Country Club and Ikeja Golf Club.
He was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2020.
He is Married to a virtuous woman who is a judge of the High Court of Lagos State and blessed with 3 Children.

*TINUBU’S ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY AND PARTY FAITHFULS EXPECTATIONS*

As the administration of President Tinubu zooms towards one year anniversary in office in the next two months, party faithfuls and citizens are full of greater expectations. It is also expected that those who laboured selflessly in ensuring the party emerge victorious last year, would be given a better sense of recognition, belonging and appreciation.

Concerned citizen and member of APC
9th April 2024