The leadership of Otu Oka-iwu Abuja, the umbrella body representing all Igbo lawyers in FCT, Abuja, has expressed deep concern and condemnation regarding the recent decision by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Abuja Branch to exclude candidates from the Eastern Zone from vying for the position of Assistant Secretary in the upcoming branch election.
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In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Moses Ebute SAN, Chief Ejiofor Onwuaso, President of Otu Okaiwu Abuja, stated that the exclusion of candidates from the Eastern Zone goes against the principles of fairness, inclusivity, and professionalism that should guide the electoral processes. He emphasized that historically, only the offices of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary have been zoned, and it has never been the practice to zone other offices.
The letter further highlighted that the Electoral Committee, under the leadership of Moses Ebute SAN, acted beyond its powers by publishing a second electoral guideline excluding the Eastern Zone from contesting for the office of Assistant Secretary. This new guideline contradicts the first guideline, which stated that the post was open to all zones.
Otu Okaiwu Abuja argues that this discriminatory policy not only undermines the integrity of the election but also perpetuates divisiveness within the association. It sends a message of exclusion and marginalization to members from the Eastern zone, creating unnecessary tensions and eroding trust in the electoral process.
The group firmly believes that all members of the Nigerian Bar Association Abuja Branch should have equal opportunities to contest for any position based on their qualifications, merits, and aspirations. Imposing restrictions based on regional affiliation is not only unjust but also contrary to the values of the legal profession.
Otu Okaiwu Abuja has called on the Electoral Committee, chaired by Moses Ebute SAN, to immediately reverse this exclusionary policy and ensure that all qualified candidates, regardless of their region of origin, are allowed to participate fully and fairly in the upcoming elections. They urge the committee to uphold the principles of transparency, equality, and professionalism in all aspects of the electoral process to maintain the credibility of the elections and the reputation of the Nigerian Bar Association (Abuja Branch).
Failure to address this issue promptly, according to Otu Okaiwu Abuja, will undermine the credibility of the elections and tarnish the reputation of the Nigerian Bar Association (Abuja Branch). They trust that the Electoral Committee, under the leadership of Moses Ebute SAN, will take swift and decisive action to rectify this injustice and uphold the integrity of the association.
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