Presidential aspirants of the Nigerian Bar Association have shared their manifestoes ahead of the upcoming NBA elections slated for 20th July 2024. The elections will be conducted through electronic voting, which the association first adopted in 2016, and for subsequent elections in 2018, 2020, and 2022. The NBA’s Electoral Committee chair, Oluseun Abimbola, SAN, made this decision known during the launch of nomination forms in Abuja.
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While candidates seeking to occupy the presidential position of the NBA have presented their manifestoes to the general public, here is what they entail so NBA voters get to know who they are voting for and what their preferred candidates seek to bring to the NBA. Before you vote or choose the leader you want, read the manifestoes well.
For Mazi Afam Josiah Osigwe, SAN, who is the managing partner of Law Forte Attorney and Chairman of the NBA Remuneration Committee, he runs his ambition under the vision of a unified and inclusive bar that identifies problems, anticipates challenges, and delivers solutions and benefits to all lawyers. According to him, he intends to improve the standing of the association, strengthen and unify the bar, while proactively addressing issues and the welfare of all lawyers.
Mazi Afam Osigwe further promises to “…effectively consult, have a good listening ear and capably represent the interests of the members of the bar. Indeed, I will ensure that all branches are effectively represented in the affairs of the NBA.” In his manifesto, he promises to comprehensively address the needs of the NBA in three broad areas which include: Enhancing Member Welfare and Development; Reinvigorating Public Confidence in the NBA and Strengthening Institutional Structures and Efficiency.
On enhancing members’ welfare and development, Osigwe, SAN, stratified his plans into the following: welfare of lawyers, elevating the welfare of young lawyers; human capital development; continuing professional development and legal education. Mazi Afam Osigwe also promises to reinvigorate public confidence in the NBA and he hopes to achieve this by establishing the human rights institute and public advocacy; anti-corruption commission; enhancing the role of the bar in nation-building, enforcing discipline, and judicial reform.
The-Manifesto-of-Mazi-AJO-SANLastly, the learned silk seeks to strengthen institutions and structures for efficiency in the NBA. He outlined that the way to achieve this goal is by digitizing the bar; licensing and annual practice list; reform of the secretariat, organs, and structures of the NBA secretariat; national executive committee (NEC) and NBA representatives across the country.
Another major contender for the NBA presidential position is Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe, the Managing Partner of Law Crest LP and Chairman of the NBA Institute of Continuing Legal Education, who has a vision “to build a courageous and resilient bar where no lawyer is left behind.” Having had joint experience practicing law in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, Mr. Erojikwe posited that “the legal profession in Nigeria is nowhere near where it should be in terms of structure, standards, reputation, influence and member satisfaction,” which he seeks to correct and improve.
He hinges his focus upon ascending leadership to be on three core areas which include; restoring the dignity of the Nigerian Bar by promoting the rule of law at all times regardless of whose ox is gored; advancing structural reforms, administration and governance and tech initiatives towards a digital NBA and promoting empowerment, inclusion and equity, and lastly, the law firm mentorship initiatives which are to foster excellence and sustainable growth. He promises to do this in fulfillment of the provision of section 3 of the NBA Constitution.
Tobenna Erojikwe’s ManifestoIn the manifesto, Mr. Tobenna again asserts that based on his observation, the issue with the Nigerian Bar is not a lack of knowledge of the problems that bedevil the bar or the inability to identify solutions but rather the lack of will to decisively implement the solutions. He further pledges and commits that: “I, therefore, pledge to transform the NBA into a modern association that employs international best practices to achieve its objectives with a view to making its members more competitive in an increasingly globalized world.” he pledged and stated in his manifesto.
He concluded by emphasizing that the bar needs decisive leadership at this time and stage required to implement these policies and programs and move the profession in a direction that makes it fit for purpose in an increasingly competitive and globalized world.
Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN, will also be contesting the NBA presidency as a partner in the dispute resolution and tax practice at Aluko & Oyebode whilst also serving as the NBA-Securities Agencies Relation Committee Chairman. According to the learned silk, he will be running a transformative leadership and a fearless bar. Accordingly, Mr. Ikwuazom hinges his campaign manifesto on the provision of article 3(1), (13), (12) (3), and (6) of the NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended).
The provisions he listed provide for the maintenance and defense of the integrity and independence of the Bar and the Judiciary in Nigeria; establishment of schemes for the promotion of the welfare, security, and economic advancement of members of the profession; creation of schemes for the empowerment of newly qualified members and members with disabilities and for the provision of assistance to aged or incapacitated members of the association; improvement of the system of the administration of justice, its procedures, and the arrangement of court business and regular law reporting, and maintenance of the highest standard of professional conduct, etiquette, and discipline.
Chukwuka Ikwuazom Manifesto ReducedServing under the philosophy of unity and continuity, the tax expert reveals that his “…vision is for transformative leadership and fearless bar. But this cannot be achieved without a unified front. The legal profession is marked out by profound polarization, evident in the division between the bar and the bench, the outer bar and the inner bar,” this according to him serves as one of his frontiers problems to be tackled when elected as president of the Nigerian Bar.
Upon listing his aims, the learned silk asserts that his prioritizing of the listed aims does not mean he will devalue other aims as stated in the NBA Constitution. He further identified other sub-issues which he spoke on as contained in his manifesto and they include: the welfare of lawyers, the judiciary, the bar, remuneration, conditions of service, payment of practicing fees, addressing sexual harassment, sustainable training and career empowerment, harnessing technology, business development, standing and more impactful welfare scheme, judicial sector reform, enhanced efficiency in the administration of courts, resources, manpower and infrastructure, technology in the justice sector, administration of civil justice, reorientation, rank of senior advocate of Nigeria, enforcing regulation and upholding discipline, young lawyers forum amongst other issues.
Audaciously, Mr. Ikwuazom stated that if elected president, he aims to instill a culture of sustained progress, ensuring that future leaders follow suit in advancing our profession’s interests through unity, continuity, and strategic action. This and many others were the tax expert’s goals for the NBA when elected.
Therefore, come July 20th, the candidates, all of whom are graduates of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and from Nnewi in Anambra State, will test their mettle as over 73,000 Nigerian lawyers head to the polls for the NBA elections. As they vote, they will determine their future leadership.
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