NBA Ota Chair, Isaac Ogbah Replies Sylvester Udemezue On Rotation Of NBA Presidency, Says Edo Should Not Be Singled Out For Vilification

Mr. Isaac Ogbah, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ota Branch, has responded to Mr. Sylvester Udemezue’s opinion that “NBA Presidency is not for only Lawyers from EDO STATE: There are 8 States in NBA’s Western Zone” .

Mr. Udems had suggested that by virtue of Articles 3(11) and 9 (3) of the Constitution of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), 2015, as amended in 2019 and Part 2.1 (e) of the Second Schedule thereto, any candidate coming out from Edo State for NBA Presidency is contesting in violation of the law governing NBA National Elections.

“NBA Presidency is not for only EDO lawyers. It is not only EDO Lawyers that are capable of leading the NBA. WE have competent hands within all states in Nigeria. There are 8 states in the western zone as shown above.

“In 2014 when the NBA Presidency rotated to the Western Zone , Mr Alegeh, SAN, Life Bencher, a perfect leader from EDO State) was elected President. He led the NBA meritoriously from 2014 to 2016.

“Now in 2020, it has rotated to the Western Zone all over again, and someone is taking about another lawyer from EDO state as candidate for office of the President. That, with the greatest respect, would not fair, not just and not Constitutional.” Udems Says

But in a statement signed by himself and made available to TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL), Mr. Isaac Ogbah disagrees with Udems. He says: “In 2014 was NBA President’s position ROTATED to Edo/Mid West Bar OR SAME WAS CONTESTED FOR, the agreement for Rotation having been rejected by the powers that be and the various contestants during that election?

“The present constitution having come into operation after the said election, should we make the rotation retroactive in nature?

“If I may ask, whereas there exists an unwritten rotational agreement between the North and South Presidency in NIGERIA, what is now the arrangement between the 8 States that makes the Western Zone of the NBA?

“If you have read the communique that was issued in respect of the December 14th meeting held in Ibadan where 2020 was zoned to Ondo/Ekiti; 2026 zoned to Osun/Oyo state and 2032 zoned to Ogun/Lagos, WAS THERE ANYTHING SAID ABOUT EDO/DELTA STATES?

“If I may ask the question: who has the powers to determine which state/states has the prerogative to produce the next NBA President?

“Granted that we have other states that has qualified lawyers should that be a reason Edo state should be singled out for vilification?

“Perhaps our dear revered Udems should also give us the criteria used in the adoption process, not only for the states to produce the next President but also the rationale used in the adoption process.

“Let the leaders of Mid-West Bar Forum and Egbe Amofin come together and deliberate effectively on this rotation issue. Until that is done let the best candidate win”

Oreofe Adewole Esq, of the Western Zone, too had earlier suggested that lawyers would exercise their wisdom again in favour of the rule of law by electing a candidate who hails from within the defunct Western Region of Nigerian (made up of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo States). to lead the NBA until 2022.