Pilot Law

Ilorin NBA Election: 3 ex-scribes, Bello, Dada, Gambari battle for Akande’s seat

 

By Kayode Adeoti

Apparently, the stage is getting hot but interesting; the battle for who succeeds Muhammed Ayoola Akande as the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin branch, has commenced in earnest.
How time flies, come June 2020, Akande, who defeated Dr. Ibrahim Abikan, a Professor of Law at the University of Ilorin, in a keenly contested election, will toe the path of his predecessors.
Akande,-led executives who would have paddled the sheep of the NBA for two years by June, will relinquish power to another administration  after the expiration their tenure.
The prevailing question on the lips of many, especially the legal practitioners in the state, is, after Akande joins the league of elders, who becomes the 22nd Chairman of the NBA, Ilorin branch?
To unravel this mystery, Pilot Law went round and gathered that no fewer than three legal practitioners, from private chambers have been making concerted efforts towards seizing the mantle for the next two years.
AbdulGaniyu Bello, Abiodun Dada and Kamaldeen Gambari, are all ex-scribes of the Bar who have signified interest for chairmanship seat.
For some weeks now, the aspirants, with their supporters have reportedly engaged in all manners of politicking and lobbying just to canvass for votes.
Supporters of these aspirants have reportedly jettisoned ethics of the Bar that forbids political campaign and engaged in a clandestine sort of campaigns as a way of selling their candidates.
Meanwhile, legal pundits have posited that, ‘time and chance will determine whose luck among the three contenders will shine the brightest’.
This medium however takes a look at the profile strengths and weaknesses of the aspirants.
AbdulGaniyu Bello
He graduated from Usman Danfodio in 1998 where he studied Common and Islamic Law. He proceeded to Law School in 1999 and was called to Bar subsequently. The legal luminary has served at various levels in Ilorin Bar. Between 2005-2007, he was the Financial Secretary. He was also NBA chairman electoral committee in the year 2003, statutory member of the Bar between year 2007 and 2009 among several other offices held in the association.
On his strength, factor mentioned that may count in favour of Bello is the fact that he has over the years, garnered so much experience having served under three different administrations and in different offices.
Bello is said to have rich knowledge about the association and the wherewithal to pilot its affairs.
According to some lawyers, Bello deserves to run for the seat in all standard having sacrificed a lot to ensure that the Ilorin Bar today, enjoys peace and unity.
On his weakness, religion has been perceived as factor that can affect Bello’s victory at the poll come June 2020. It’s believed that anywhere all over the world, religion will always play significant role in any election, as it forms, basis to which many people vote.
It’s said that the choice of the principal partner of AbdulGaniyu Bello & Co. and Gambari who are both Muslims and strong members of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), vying for one seat is dangerous.
According to findings, the MULAN has reasonable number of voters whose votes can speak volume for any aspirant if not shared or divided.
The fact that the vote will be divided between two Muslim aspirants is however considered dangerous for Bello.
In fact, it was learnt that some legal practitioners have began to make concerted efforts to ensure that one of them steps down for the other so as to have a solidified house that can confront Dada, who is the only Christian in the race, and who is perceived strong enough to give Bello and Gambari, a run for their money.
Another factor that analysts said may work against Bello’s chances in the race is the notion that it has been long time he participated in NBA politics. During the time of election that produced Issa Manzuma as NBA Chairman, it was reported that Bello signified  interest but could not continue with the race because of certain reasons. Argument coming from some quarters is that Bello is now an ‘old skool’
Abiodun Dada
For Dada, he was called to Bar the same year as Bello. He is perceived to be fairly popular and relatively young. According to some lawyers, the Principal Partner of Abiodun Dada & Co. has paid his dues to the development of the Bar considering how he has reportedly delivered on responsibilities saddled on him majorly by the present and past administrations.
Another major factor that may count in Dada’s favour as gathered by our reporter is the fact that the legal practitioner is considered by some lawyers, charming, sociable and friendly to all, he’s believed to be having a sort of deep pocket with much influence to turn the table around.
Also mentioned as important factor that may spell victory for the Kwara South-born lawyer is, religion.
According to findings, Dada is the only Christian among the three contenders for the seat. It’s argued that if the election is going to be predicated on religion, Dada may have no one to share votes with among his Christian electorate.
Also, it was gathered that Christians may decide to consider an aspirant from their fate considering the complaint that it has been long Christian led the Bar.
Findings revealed that J.S Bamigboye was the last Christian that managed affairs of the Bar many years ago. Then, Bamigboye, as reported, only played reconciliatory role that brought on board, an unanimous and harmonious government that led the Bar.
If the three contenders are eventually allowed to test their popularity and luck in the race, it is believed that Dada may also get votes from MULAN, even if it’s going to come only from his friends who may prefer him over other contenders.
On his perceived weakness, it’s quite a pity, Dada, according to findings doesn’t command large followership among the members of the Young Lawyers’ Forum (YLF). It is believed that he’s not close to the forum who to a large extent, are numerous and may determine things in the NBA election. This presumed flaws, it was learnt, may impede his chances.
Kamaldeen Gambari
He graduated from the Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto State in 2005 and was at the Nigerian Law School  between 2005 – 2006. Among other several qualifications, Gambari was appointed Notary Public for Nigeria by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) in July, 2017 and was sworn in accordingly by the Chief Judge of Kwara State. He is the immediate past general secretary of the NBA.
Gambari, according to his colleagues has what it takes to represent them as the helmsman of the NBA if given the mandate following the wealth of experience he has garnered over the years while serving in different capacities of the NBA.
He is said to be very conversant with NBA programmes having attended and participated in many conferences, seminars and meetings of the Bar.
Looking at his strength, this medium reliably gathered that he’s the youngest among the three aspirants, an attribute many lawyers consider positive that can bring about vibrant innovations that will aid the progress of the Bar.
Among what may count in his favour in the race as learnt, is the good relationship the legal luminary reportedly established with young lawyers.
It was gathered that Akande’s performance may make or mar the chances of Gambari, reason being that, the duo are believed to be in the same age bracket. However, if the performance of the present chairman has received the nod of lawyers, it may serve as encouragement to those who are keen about youthfulness to vote for Gambari as a way of promoting young minds.
NBA chairmen from independence
Going by history, since Nigeria’s independence, the first Chairman of the Ilorin branch of the NBA was late Chief Akin Akintoye I who came on board in 1967, and served till 1977. Next was Late Akanbi Mahmoud Oniyangi, he 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 eventually led the association from 1990-1991. Late M.S ‘Lai Adegboye followed 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 resumed in 2005. Prof. Muhammed Akanbi was in-charge from 2007 to 2009, Salman Jawondo also held the position in 2009 till 2011. Chief Rafiu Balogun also piloted the NBA affairs in 2011 till 2013. The immediate predecessor of Manzuma, Mobolaji Ojibara headed the NBA from 2013 -2015. Issa Manzuma, the immediate past chairman of the association held sway from 2016 -2017 and handed over to Akande whose tenure will come to an end by June, according to NBA calender.
________________

Show More

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button