An Abuja based lawyer, Henry Efe Okusuwha, has written the Nigerian Bar Association President, Olumide Akpata, drawing his attention to the current division in the Abuja Branch.
Okushuwa, in the open letter made available to TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL), said one faction is presently led by Bulus Atsen while the other by Hauwa Shekarau
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He said the immediate past administration under Usoro (SAN) attempted to settle the issue but was unsuccessful. He urged Akpata to try and settle the lingering crisis
Read the letter below:
An open letter to Olumide Akpata (our NBA President) on the disunity in the Unity Bar.
Sir, the Abuja branch of the NBA (Unity Bar) is perculiar due to the fact that, it is the Federal Capital Territory. Sir, there is serious division in this branch. The branch has two factions which has existed for more than four years. In other words, these factions has had three administration. The faction which is presently led by Bulus Atsen, was preceded by Folarin Aluko who was earlier preceded by Ezenwa. The other faction, which is currently led by Hauwa Shekarau was preceded by Kayode Abimbola by the NBA constituted caretaker committee (A committee which was set up by NBA due to the wat between Ezenwa and Victor Abasiakan) led by Princes Chukwani.
During the last election, it was very easy for most member of the Abuja Branch who belong to the Bulus Atsen faction inclusive of their executives to identify with you, so that the campaign from this faction was massive, almost the whole faction campaigned, supported and voted for you. So that when you won, there was great jubilation in this camp. Meanwhile, the other faction which seems to be made up of older and more conservative lawyers found it easier for them (especially the caucus) to identify with Dele Adesina (SAN). However many of the simpertisers and well wishers of this faction are pro Akpata as they are multiple times more than the DASANs even in this faction because as we all know, members of caucus in every society is usually few.
Note : I call associate of the factions simpertisers and well wishers because they are all members of one branch, which is the Abuja Branch.
Sir, upon you becoming NBA President, this has caused alot of tension, as the Hauwa Shekarau faction are uncertain about their fate. Sir, this is why most members of the caucus of this faction are in support of the New NBA.
Sir, this war between the two factions has caused great collateral damage, as this was obviously witness in the Abuja branch election that brought executives of both factions into power. Sir with due respect to the caucus of both factions, non of them conducted a real election. Abuja Branch is just a branch but it’s the capital of the country, what happens here is very important as many other branches are watching what is happening here. Another example of the collateral damage done to the members of the Abuja branch is the burial arrangements which is ongoing for His Lordship Hon. Justice Okeke who was a chairman when the branch was still unified. Presently, contribution for burial ceremony by members of the Abuja Branch is ongoing, due to the war between these two factions, no one has access to the branch account. So that contribution is now made to an individual’s account in respect of the burial ceremony. The fact that the Hauwa Shekarau faction issued the circular through its secretary, the Bulus Atsen faction has disassociate themselves from this burial arrangements, further stressing that they cannot make donation to an individual account.
Sir, I believe with your Charisma, the NBA is not dividing in your era but sir don’t leave this problem of Abuja branch to linger, as this problem has lingered for too long. Some political analyst here in Abuja are of the opinion that the various rebel group which are planning to divide the NBA learnt from these Abuja factions which have existed for about five years. As the contestants in the last NBA National election is very familiar with the NBA Abuja Branch politics.
Sir Paul Usoro SAN tried to solve this problem before his administration came to an end. Probably, the reason his administration was unable to end this division is because they did not start on time. Sir I pray you to look into this matter timeously before it will get out of hand. Sir, it should not just end in setting up a committee but let’s end this war. Let’s implement. Let action take place. Sir, I so much believe in you and your administration.
I’m most grateful sir.
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