After the stalemate of 1992 that lasted through 1998 in which the Bar had no leadership at the national level but merely existing in branches.In 1998 there was a turn around from that ill stalemate. In 1998, the Association was revived and those who pioneered the revival thought it necessary to avoid the election crisis that led to the Bar being inactive for 6 years by introducing the DELEGATES ELECTORAL SYSTEM as substitute for the UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE which the military government attempted to manipulate in 1992 leading to the crisis. The delegates system existing before the revival of the e-voting universal suffrage was an attempt to tackle and nip in bud a repeat of the Portharcourt crisis of 1992, which was felt to be the flaw of the universal suffrage. However what was designed intentionally and originally to tackle the crisis of 1992 became a catalyst of electioneering woes and hiccups. The delegates process was unwittingly skewed in favour of a class who had strong control of the legal Profession to the detriment of its larger members and that saw the domination of the NBA Presidency by a class. Under this dispensation, following the Portharcourt crisis, the Delegates system was enthroned in place of the hitherto universal suffrage. The dawn of the delegates system came with its flaws. They are as follows :- The delegates did not necessarily speak the mind of the majority of Branch members, The whole branches of the NBA nominated delegates. These delegates were sanctioned by the branch leadership who sometimes did not speak the mind of the branch or even the leadership,the mandate of the delegates were tailored towards a particular candidate. In this arrangement the delegates free will were jettisoned for mundane reasons. There were misgivings in large quarters that the Association could not foot the bill of the delegates who are many in number as it ought to be to guarantee a fair process, the candidates accommodate these delegates in several hotels grease their palms equally to cast their votes. In this scenario it is fool hardy to expect a beneficiary to go against the mandate of his sponsor. The delegates system came with its own cabal as it became the prerogative of a few that admitted few or no new entrants in the fray as delegates from the branches. These were the flaws of the delegates system as gleaned,perceived and seen that propelled the call for universal suffrage. It was under this skewed system that was dominated by Senior Advocates of Nigeria probably because they most likely had the wherewithal to survive the System. It was this arrangement that laid the false tradition that bar presidency is the exclusive preserve of Senior Advocates of Nigeria. Under the delegates system the Presidents in that era were : 1.Chief T.J.O. Okpoko, SAN (1998–2000). 2.O.C.J. Okocha, SAN (2000–2002). 3.Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN (2002–2004). 4.Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN (2004–2005). 5.Prince Lanke Odogiyo (2005–2006). 6.Olisa Agbakoba SAN (2006–2008). 7.Chief Olurotimi Akeredolu, SAN (2008–2010). 8.Joseph Bodurin Daudu, SAN (2010 – 2012 ). 9.Okey Wali, SAN (2012 – 2014 ) 10.Augustine Alegeh, SAN (2014 – 2016). Prince Odogiyon was the only non SAN to mount the saddle of NBA leadership. His was possible because his predecessor Chief Bayo Ojo quit office to become the Attorney General of the Federation. One of the legacies of the Alegeh SAN’s administration was bringing back universal suffrage via e-voting. This birthed the incumbent administration. Most importantly it has crippled some of the negatives of the former election system. The message is clear any can win. Gentlemen, in about 12 months, precisely July, 2018, we will elect new officers. There has been a lot of criticism of our dear Association by us Lawyers and other Nigerians, Thus, I call on us in making the decision on who to lead us, let us take into consideration, the leadership qualities, vision, integrity, drive, track record, administrative prowess, will power and other qualities of the candidates, as opposed to the status of the candidate, sentiments or other personal considerations. With the enthronement of the universal suffrage any can contest and win. The message is that no group has an exclusive preserve to lead the Bar. I’m an ardent football lover, and from my experience some of the greatest footballers make poor coaches, and some of the not so gifted footballers represent some of the greatest coaches. The reason for their success as a coach is not there talent on the pitch, but their skills as a coach. The Decision is ours to make, I reiterate the Presidency of the NBA is not an exclusive preserve of any group or rank. Rumors have it that the campaign for the next elections have already subtly begun. If the Bar once had an Alao Bashorun as a president and adjudged by many to have done well, surely we can still see a replica in the current era. Let us all join hands to return the NBA to be as influential as it ought to be, for the body to have a greater sphere of influence in the direction and progress of this country. Happy new week. *Concluded * By Jose Mourinho Ifeanyi Agwuncha]]>
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