I recognise and congratulate the newly elected National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association led by the President Elect – Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN.
Mr. President Elect and his team should consider their emergence as divine and a product of providence.
In line with established tradition in previous elections, this election of National Officers held on 20th July, 2024 has also been trailed by controversies of vote and result manipulation, et all. That notwithstanding, nature abhors vacuum and the Bar must move on.
We hope the President Elect will use his good offices to change the narrative in the next election by implementing electoral reforms in the election result computing process to reflect the wishes of the voting populace which will set the template for future elections.
The first task before the President Elect now is reconciliation post election. I urge Mr. President Elect to consider himself a father of all and to immediately put machineries in motion to reconcile himself with all individuals and groups irrespective of the positions they took before the elections, if he must succeed, as he should succeed. I expect him to have reached out to his Brother Contestants at the polls before now.
He should call them and seek their cooperation notwithstanding their petitions to the ECNBA which I believe is written for record purpose and aimed at reforms. He should also reach out to Contestants in other cadres with a view to seeking their understanding and collaboration in his administration.
Other Elected Officers should also follow in the steps of Mr. President Elect by reaching out to those that contested the elections with them. This will bring about genuine reconciliation and healing at the Bar.
The Bar belongs to all. No one should be left behind. A practical demonstration of Mr. President’s willingness to reconcile members and groups within the NBA and generally heal the Bar will be reflected in his broad based appointments across all interest groups in a manner of forming a government of national unity within the NBA. Anything short of this will be an invitation to chaos in his administration.
Mr. President Elect should not forget that his Officers represent different interest groups and are loyal to such groups. He should always consult with his Officers and carry them along in decision making. He should have their buy ins.
I urge each and every member of the newly elected Executive Committee to cooperate with one another, and especially with the President Elect, for the good and benefit of all members and in the overriding interest of unity and progress of our Bar Association. Without doubt, the President Elect is the Leader and all must assist him to succeed. The President Elect in turn should not be overbearing, must give a listening ear always and must be accommodating of his Officers.I pray the President Elect succeeds in all respects. The newly elected National Executive Committee deserves our best wishes and the prayers of all members to succeed. May they all succeed individually and collectively.
May the Bar succeed!
Long live the NBA!”
•IDRIS KOLAWOLE THANY, ESQ.
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN NBA IKORODU BRANCH
