NBA Election: Former CLA President Condemns Regional Endorsements, Backs Universal Suffrage

Boma Alabi, the former President of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), has voiced strong criticism against the practice of regional forums endorsing candidates for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidency. Alabi argues that such endorsements undermine the democratic process within the legal body.

Alabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), champions the principle of universal suffrage for the NBA presidency. She believes that all eligible members of the bar should have the unfettered right to vote for their preferred candidate, free from the influence of regional blocs or predetermined endorsements. This stance emphasizes a commitment to a more inclusive and representative electoral system for the association.

The core of Alabi's critique targets the perceived manipulation of the electoral landscape by regional interests. She contends that these endorsements can stifle competition and prevent the emergence of the most qualified candidates, thereby potentially compromising the integrity and leadership of the NBA. Her call for universal suffrage aims to ensure that the election process truly reflects the collective will of the association's members.