Why the NBA physician must first heal herself, by Rotimi Fasan

Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya has made history as the 33rd president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), marking the first time a woman has been elected to lead the legal body. Her victory comes after a contentious election period, though fears of post-election litigation have so far proven only partially founded, with some lawyers reportedly heading to court.

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the controversies that had preceded this year’s election would seem to have subsided despite fears that the post-election period might be mired in litigation.

While Badejo-Okusanya is the first woman to be elected president, she follows Dame Priscilla Kuye, who previously served as president to complete a term. Badejo-Okusanya's election, however, has brought to the forefront deeper issues concerning the NBA's authority and its perceived role within Nigeria's political landscape. Questions have arisen about the fault lines that have undermined the NBA's position as a moral arbiter and an impartial advocate.

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Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya will not be the first woman to occupy the office of the president when the transition period ends and Mazi Afam Osigwe formally hands over to her. That distinction belongs to Dame Priscilla Kuye, who became president to complete the second of the two-year term of Mr. Clement Akpamgbo (SAN), who had left the NBA presidency after a year to assume office as the Attorney-General of the Federation under the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.

A significant point of contention highlighted in the article is the NBA's handling of a N300 million grant from the Rivers State government. This funding was intended for the hosting rights of an NBA conference. The NBA ultimately relocated the conference from Rivers State to Enugu following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers. Despite condemning perceived overreach by the federal government in other instances, the NBA retained the N300 million, which it termed a grant, without clearly specifying its purpose.

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But Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya is the first female to occupy the office of NBA president by election, and while she appears to have been a very popular candidate, her victory, or the processes that made it possible, have thrown up questions that speak to issues well beyond her immediate constituency as a legal practitioner.

Further complicating the NBA's image was the outgoing president's strong criticism of the judiciary following the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress party. The NBA's actions and stances in these matters have led to scrutiny regarding its commitment to the rule of law and its impartiality, particularly when juxtaposed with its financial dealings and political commentary.

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It has highlighted the fault lines that have undermined the authority of the NBA as a moral arbiter and a supposedly impartial advocate within the larger context of Nigerian politics.