By Kayode Adeoti
Who becomes the next chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin branch? This question has dominated discourse among legal practitioners in Kwara State for a long time now.
The agitation surrounding the question is coming on the backdrops that the tenure of the present chairman of the State Bar, Issa Manzuma and his executives will be coming to an end soon.
Recall that this medium reported that Dr. Abdulqadri Ibrahim Abikan a one-time Dean, Faculty of Law, an Associate Professor and a current Head of Department, Islamic Studies, University of Ilorin has always indicated interest in the seat, though he decided not to contest during the last election that produced Manzuma.
It was also reported that a senior state counsel, Muhammed Idowu Akande and former chairperson of FIDA, Ronke Adeyemi were in the race. Though it was later gathered that she had no interest in the seat.
To this end, only Abikan and Akande have officially made known their ambition to govern the bar for the next two years.
Another important position that is always keenly contested in the NBA election is General Secretary. Pilot Law gathered that three persons from private sector of the Bar are ready to lock hons.
It was also gathered that John Mayokun Dada who was the pioneer chairman of the Young Lawyers Forum (YLF), Ilorin branch has joined the race.
As chairman of YLF, his tenure lasted for about three months, because, as it was learnt, he was only installed to conduct election that will produce democratically elected chairman for the young lawyers. He bowed out of office in December 2015.
It was further gathered that he’s could leverage on his past feat as the pioneer chairman of YLF to win the contest.
Also in the race is Jamiu Saad Muhammed who succeeded Dada as chairman of YLF in 2016. Muhammad, being the immediate past chairman of the forum, it is believed to hold the ace to influence many members of the forum. Towards this end, he is alleged to be enjoying support of the incumbent YLF chairman, Olayinka Dauda Jimoh.
An allegation the chairman has denied. “I understand the implication of trying to push any of them forward; they’re members of YLF so they all stand equal chance. I support them all in their ambitions and I wish them well. But I don’t have any anointed candidate among them,” Jimoh emphased.
The last person who has equally shown interest in the seat is Bolaji Adeyi. He is said to be the only person who has not held any elective position in the NBA among the contestants.
The chairman of the electoral committee, Yaqub Omotosho Yaqub speaking on the issue confirmed that all the legal practitioners aforementioned have picked forms to contest for the various seats in the NBA.
He said, for the much awaited contest, the association has fixed 13th June, 2018 for the poll. He added that only two persons have picked forms for the chairmanship seat while three for the post of general secretary.
“So far so good, Akande and Abikan have picked forms, while Muhammed, Dada and Adeyi have also officially signified interest. Though we are still expecting more persons to come but we have a deadline for the collection of forms. By May 3rd, nobody can pick forms again.
“Chairman and the Secretary are not the only major positions in NBA but they’re to occupy higher positions. They coordinate activities of other executives of the association,” he stressed.
He however reiterated ban on election campaign, saying that it has not been lifted. He added that whoever is caught in any form of media sensitisations will be disqualified from the race.
“There is one thing that is dynamic about NBA election, the aspirants are not expected to paste any poster anywhere, the act is forbidden and whoever disobeyed the order will be disqualified. We have universal electoral law that we follow. We have website where we display our electoral materials and where aspirants too can submit their manifestos. Ban has not yet been lifted on campaign, reason is because, we don’t want distractions, but very soon, we’re going to consider the issue,” he said.
Manzuma, who assumed leadership of the association on 26th January, 2016 will be relinquishing the seat by June 2018 after he might have completed his two-year tenure.
Going by history, the first chairman was late Chief Akin Akintoye I who came on board in 1967, and served till 1977. After him was Late Akanbi Mahmoud Oniyangi, who took up the mantle in 1977 and was in office till 1979.
In the same vein, Chief Ayo Jonathan served from 1979 to 1981, Chief Peter Olorunnisola, SAN, who came on board during second republic ruled between 1981 and 1983. Late M.O.A Sanni, SAN, joined the league in 1983 but left in 1986.
Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, was chairman between 1986 and 1988. The onetime Kwara State Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, held the position from 1988-1990, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, took over and led the association from 1990-1991. Late M.S ‘Lai Adegboye followed suit and held the position from 1991-1992 & 1999
Hon. Justice Lambo Akanbi (Rtd) was there from 1992-1995, Adebayo Adelodun, (SAN) followed from 1995-1997. Chief Lawal-Rabana, SAN, 1997-1999, Saka Isau, SAN, 2000-2001, Joseph Bamigboye, SAN, 2001-2003. He also served as caretaker between Oct.2015 and Jan.2016. Prof. Wahab Egbewole also served between 2003 and 2005, Kehinde Eleja, SAN,’s tenure ended 2007 after he assumed office in 2005. Prof. Muhammed Akanbi was in-charge from 2007 to 2009, Salman Jawondo also held the position from 2009 till 2011.
Chief Rafiu Balogun also piloted the NBA affairs from 2011 till 2013. Mobolaji Ojibara succeeded him and he was in office from 2013 to 2015. While the incumbent chairman, Manzuma is the 20th NBA chairman of Ilorin branch since Nigeria’s independence, he will be relinquishing the seat come June 2018. The big question is, after he goes the way of his predecessors, who succeeds him?
