Olumide Akpata And The Bar Presidency: The Need For A New Breed Of Leadership

By Chimezie Nwodo, Esq

“I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –

I took the one less traveled by

And that has made all the difference.”

Robert Frost,‘The Road Less Taken’

It is absolutely foolhardy to imagine that power – with all its attendant perquisites- can be willingly relinquished. Power, of any form and magnitude, is always wrestled; either subtly or with menacing violence. This remains an eternal truth, despite the fact that the world as we now know overtly frowns at the slightest exhibition of brute force, violent revolutions or takeover.  But then, if there is any view I can most unequivocally express, it is the fact that ‘establishments’ (read ‘vested interests’) do not always walk away from power without scuffles. They are often shoved away either by the application of a superior power, force or subtle manoeuvre by the opposing forces.

The story of the Nigerian Bar Association over the years has evidently been that of tyranny of the minority. That often smooth yet organized oppression of the majority by a negligible few who find comfort in brandishing the age-long tradition of the Bar which hinges on seniority. It is this anachronistic reliance on privilege that sadly, results to the indulgence of some judicial officers to the learned Senior Advocates even when their submissions, with due respect, are clearly an attempt to filibuster the proceedings of the court. These learned seniors are often not berated for being unethical or showing bad example. And when admonished, if at all it happens, it is shrouded in euphemisms.  It is also pertinent to state that there are some fine, excellent Senior Advocates worthy of emulation.

For me, there is an exception to every rule; and in the present circumstance, the rule of exception should not suffer a needless belabouring since the expediency to visit its application is unwarranted. The law is quite clear and unambiguous as to who should express interest in leading the Bar. It does not matter how that interest is expressed- provided the preconditions which are the forerunners of such expression are met. Needless to say that being a member of the inner Bar is not one of the preconditions to qualifying for the Bar Presidency.

And “why is the establishment ‘foaming in the mouth’?”, à la the Nigerian Social Media Community, one may ask. Truth is, like all vested interests, accustomed to the perquisites of power and the largesse of entrenched positions, such disposition to clutch at any straw in sight with the view to ensuring survival is only natural. But whether holding on to the straw will ensure that it does not drown in the turbulent gulf will only be determined by time.

So, why has this ‘revolt’ (or any other appellation one chooses to employ) become imperative? I will state my reason quite simply and without elaborations; for I know that any consummate Bar man, who sincerely seeks the survival of the Bar, must have noted this point with little effort. The simple reason is that the Bar has become emasculated, leading to the only possible, yet dangerous outcome which is the demystification of the Bench (Judiciary) and by extension, the entire legal profession. No matter how one wants to view it, the Bar protects the Bench. If the Bench is the fort, the Bar is the sentinel. Take away the sentinel; the walls of the fort will be breached with the slightest shove.

It has become a tradition of sorts, for the leadership of the Bar to be sought from the inner Bar. Over the years, we have witnessed, with palpable sadness, the constant effort aimed at keeping the Bar decimated, which has fostered the inimical haranguing and harassment of the members of the Bench. I am not in any way suggesting that an errant judicial officer or legal practitioner should not be penalized (in accordance with the dictates of the law). But how the prosecution (or as we have witnessed, persecution) is carried out is suggestive of how the NBA as a professional body is regarded. And what has the inner Bar which now suggests that the leadership of the Bar is their exclusive privilege done maintain the dignity of the legal profession in Nigeria in the number of years they have led the Bar? In all these number of years, have lawyers fared better collectively? These questions will certainly return in the negative.

There is no gainsaying the fact that no tradition or law is cast in stone. At an appointed time, the dynamism which is the fulcrum of law, rule or even tradition should be brought to bear. A tradition that has outlived its purpose should be abandoned! If the old vessel ensures we remain stagnant at sea, is it not high time we tried a different vessel?

Of a truth, the Bar has long lost cohesion- and we now seek to recover it. In doing that, there is a need to employ a new breed of leadership. And who at this time, among the contestants, would do it better than Olumide Akpata? There is no need belabouring all that have been discussed about the candidates but with due respect to the pedigree and candidacy of the other aspirants, I dare say that Olumide will do it better! Barring the things said to score cheap points as often witnessed in any electioneering process, Olumide Akpata is not coming with an unexamined promises. He is not seeking to put to test or trial things he is yet to do. He is simply coming to offer services that he is accustomed to – only this time, on a bigger stage.

Olumide Akpata will definitely set the ball rolling for a Better Bar!

#Oluwilldoitbetter

Chimezie Nwodo, Esq writes from Enugu.