Lawyer alleges plot to influence Nigerian Bar Association election

Human rights lawyer and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, has raised serious allegations concerning the upcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential election. He claims that certain vested interests are actively working to manipulate the electoral process, aiming to have a single candidate run unopposed.

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For this round of elections, the Egbe Amofin has chosen to line itself up behind Muyiwa Akinboro as its preferred candidate. They have gone further to seek to require the NBA to exclude other candidates from the contest so that Mr Akinboro can emerge unopposed. That, however, would be unfair to people who are not part of the Egbe Amofin and to the wider body of the NBA.

Odinkalu explained that the NBA presidency traditionally rotates among the country's three historic regions: East, North, and West. This year's election is zoned to the Western Region, which comprises two informal blocs: the Egbe Amofin O’odua (representing six South-West states) and the Mid-West Bar (Edo and Delta states). According to Odinkalu, the Mid-West Bar has opted not to present a candidate, leaving the contest primarily to candidates from the South-West.

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It would also be a profound subversion of the constitutional and institutional arrangements of the Association.

He further alleged that the Egbe Amofin O’odua has endorsed one candidate, Muyiwa Akinboro, and is actively seeking to prevent other eligible candidates from participating. Odinkalu stated, "They have gone further to seek to require the NBA to exclude other candidates from the contest so that Mr Akinboro can emerge unopposed." He argued that such a move would be unfair to those not part of the Egbe Amofin and would subvert the NBA's constitutional and institutional framework.

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To drive home their demand, the Egbe Amofin went to the High Court of Oyo State in Ibadan to get an order of court to suspend the NBA’s electoral season until they get their way.

Adding to his allegations, Odinkalu claimed that the group has approached the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan to obtain an order suspending the NBA's electoral process. He also mentioned threats to seek the appointment of a sole administrator for the NBA if their demands are not met, a move he dismissed as legally unfounded for an NGO like the NBA. Odinkalu urged lawyers to defend the association's principles.

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They are even threatening that if they do not get their way to get the Attorney-General of the Federation to ‘nationalise’ the Association and designate a sole administrator for it. Sadly, for them, the NBA is an NGO; there is no legal framework for achieving this end.