The Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), Mr. Tawo E. Tawo, SAN in a chat with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi of This Day had shared his thoughts on sundry issues surrounding the forthcoming NBA National Elections.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
Meanwhile, Mr. Tawo, SAN reassured the commitment of the ECNBA to deliver a free, credible and transparent NBA Elections.
“The assurance to deliver a credible, free and fair election for the NBA, still stands.
“To achieve that, we will ensure adherence to the attributes or ingredients of a credible, free and fair election, to wit, inclusiveness, transparency, accountability and competitiveness in the 2020 general elections of the National Executives of the NBA.
“Inclusiveness; where members of the Bar are provided equal opportunities to participate in the elections either as voters or candidates subject of course, to the Constitution of the NBA.
“Transparency; where members and stakeholders can verify independently, the conduct of the electoral process.
“Accountability; where the rights of the members with respect to the conduct of the stakeholders and candidates in the election is sustainable, and competitiveness where members will have reasonable and equal opportunities to compete in the elections.” He said.
Furthermore, reacting to the allegations that he was shocked when the NBA presented ECNBA with an already prepared e-voting platform, he said:
“If you had the opportunity of reading my press statement No. 003 of May 15th, 2020 captioned “The Journey so far”, you would have discovered that those were not my words.” He said.
“What I said was that, the Committee was briefed that the NBA has its own e-voting platform/portal for elections developed by an IT firm.
“I did not say the e-voting platform/portal was developed specifically for the 2020 elections, and neither did I say anything that should warrant an inference that the NBA developed platform was created for the purpose of rigging the elections, far from it. It may be of interest to point out that, the IT firm, TAVIA, that developed the NBA election portal/platform, is not conducting the e-voting election for the NBA; rather another IT consultant will do that.” He added.
In another development, Mr. Tawo,SAN while reacting to allegations of subtle campaigns by candidates on the social media even when ban has not been lifted on campaigns, he noted that there is presently no candidate in the face of ECNBA.
“The ban for the campaigns has not been lifted, because there are no candidates for the elections yet. Assuming at this stage an aspirant embarks on a campaign spree and upon screening he or she is rightly disqualified from contesting the election, of what benefit would the campaign be? Come to think of it, and in all frankness, what is the campaign for the NBA election all about? Is it for vote buying or letting members know the candidate’s program for the Association and its members?” He said.
“If it is for the latter, paragraph 1.3(f) of the second schedule to the NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended) has taken care of that, to the effect that candidates are to submit copies of their curriculum vitae, comprehensive manifestoes and other campaign materials to the ECNBA for publication on the NBA website.” He added.
Also, it was noted that the essence of the ban is to discourage unnecessary spending by candidates with a bid to recoup same after his/her emergence, further noting that ECNBA is closely monitoring the situation.
“In terms of any breach of the guidelines or the constitutional provisions by the candidates, we are monitoring the activities of the prospective candidates and their supporters, and we shall not hesitate to impose appropriate sanctions for any violation.” He said.
Similarly, Mr. Tawo SAN while reacting to allegations of some candidates helping young lawyers pay their Bar Practicing Fee with a view to be eligible to vote said:
“Yes, asking for account numbers from some members for the payment of their Bar practicing fees and branch dues by aspirants or prospective candidates, especially during the election year, amounts to an inducement and election malpractice.”
“However, those are general allegations which we cannot act upon, without proof or evidence of such allegations. That notwithstanding, if the Committee by whatsoever means and ways finds out that any aspirant or candidate indulges or indulged in such or any other malpractice, the full weight of the relevant constitutional provisions will be brought to bear on such aspirant or candidate”. He added.
In another development, Mr. Tawo, SAN noted that there is nothing unethical in the endorsement or adoption of a candidate either by individuals or groups.
“Generally, endorsements and adoptions are integral to democracy. Adoption is usually an off shoot of consensus amongst the aspirants or candidates, and the group or platform the candidates seek to represent.” He said.
“My take here is that, adoption arising from a consensus is good because it tends to reduce acrimony, rancour, as well as tension, and brings about collaboration, peace, synergy, unity of ideas and understanding, not only amongst the aspirants or candidates, but also amongst the electorates.” It was added.
However, while reacting to allegations that the ECNBA interim voters list was riddled with errors and omissions, he said:
“It is not correct to say that the interim voters list released by my Committee is riddled with so many errors and omissions, especially when the interim list is considered with the accompanying ECNBA statement No.005 in view.”
“The publication of the interim voters register was a strategy adopted by the Committee, to ensure the compilation of a credible voters register. It was a clarion call for the branch Chairmen to take responsibility, and for members to call out their branch Chairmen to do the needful, in order not to jeopardise their chances of voting in the election. I want to reiterate and reassure that, no Lawyer with proof of eligibility to vote will be excluded and/or disenfranchised howsoever, from the elections.
“I call on all members and branch Chairmen to utilise the window of opportunity created by the publication of the interim voters register, to do the needful.” He added.
Besides, Mr. Tawo, SAN expressed the ECNBA’s helpless stance on the inability of some young lawyers to pay their Bar Practicing Fee as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic and possibility of voting in the forthcoming elections. He noted that same is a constitutional issue.
“The period and time of payment of Bar practicing fees as at when due is a constitutional issue, which to me requires a constitutional solution i.e. constitutional amendment.” He said.
In another development, Mr. Tawo SAN noted that the biggest challenge being faced by ECNBA is the forthcoming elections is the problem associated with compilation of the authentic lists of qualified voters.
“For now, my biggest challenge before the election is the compilation of an authentic and credible voters register for the 2020 general elections of the National Executives of the NBA, occasioned in the main by the initial lack of cooperation from most members and their branch Chairmen.” He said.
Meanwhile, he noted that the post election challenges cannot be known or speculated upon.
Finally, Mr. Tawo ,SAN expressed his desires and expectations from the next leadership of the NBA, to see a strong and virile Bar in the defense of rule of law.
“I want to see a strong and virile NBA that will stand on the side of justice, the rule of law, and the rights of the citizens; as such NBA should get involved, and engage more in public interest matters. And, as legal practitioners who are members of the NBA, if we engage more in ensuring the sustenance of justice, rule of law and all that will be beneficial to the generality of the populace, it will invariably impact on the NBA as a Bar Association that all will be proud of.” He concluded.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
________________________________________________________________________ The Law And Practice Of Redundancy In Nigeria: A Practitioner’s Guide, Authored By A Labour & Employment Law Expert Bimbo Atilola
_______________________________________________________________________
"You Don't Need To Be Rich, You Just Need To Start" — Victoria Ezeigwe, Esq Launches Investment Handbook For Nigerians Starting With ₦5,000
Get your copy today and take the first step toward financial growth:👉 https://selar.co/4f16676016
_______________________________________________________________________
