Barrister Felix Nkongho Agbor, popularly known as Agbor Balla has replaced Barrister Stanislaus Ajong as President of Fako Lawyers Association, FAKLA.
Agbor Balla was voted last Saturday, April 11, in elections that ran late into the night for a two-year mandate renewable. He secured 153 out of 283 validly cast votes. His rivals, Barristers Stephen Njilla and Davidson Fih had 119 and 11 votes respectively.
Prior to the elections, Agbor Balla promised his peers to vote for a candidate with a vision for FAKLA; a candidate who has been a vanguard for the protection of the common law practice.
Balla who stood for elections on the platform of “Team Balla for a united FAKLA” boasted that he accompanied Albet Mukong to the European Union years back on issues that concerned the common law practice in Cameroon.
“We need reconciliation. I’m a team player and a visionary. I cut across all the class structures of the society; I can talk with the young, the middle-class and the old. I’ll ensure that FAKLA is reconciled and that the rights and privileges of lawyers are protected,” Balla said in a last minute campaign message.
“The elections were shocking, interesting, exciting. In fact, I’m short of words….I’ll have to live up to my campaign promises. I assured the electorate that I’ll be judged by my vision and manifesto for FALKA. I’ll not only talk the talk, I’ll walk the walk,” Balla told pressmen late Saturday night after winning the election.
He rubbished claims that he’s not a lawyer on the ground. He said you need not be a rocket scientist to know the problems of lawyers. “I’m always in touch with my people. I know their needs and we’ll start working to realise what we promised,” he said.
Ajong Stanislaus steps down from FAKLA Presidency after five years of mixed blessings for the association.
He handed over to Balla shortly before the official installation ritual.
Barrister Henry Sumelong however maintains his position as Secretary General of FAKLA.
The election results
President: Agbor Balla
Vice President: Gladys Mbuya
Secretary General: Henry Sumelong
Vice Secretary: Maximinus Muboh
Treasurer: Awungjia Tetchounkwi
Financial Secretary: Nfam Tosam
PRO: Epey Esoh
Chief Whip: Nji Valentine
Organising Secretary: Arrey Ebot
Assistant Financial Secretary: Ashu S. Besong