Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Olisa
Agbakoba (SAN) has urged the association not to jettison the zoning of its next
president to the Southwest.
The lawyer said there could be dire consequences, if the Yoruba do not produce the next NBA President.
He said the previous one was elected on the basis of zoning.
The Midwest fielded a candidate for the July election and he is said to enjoy the support of some NBA bigwigs.
In a letter yesterday to NBA President Okey Wali (SAN), Agbakoba said: “I recognise and empathise with the exclusion of the Midwest, but it is in our overall interest to maintain the zoning arrangement.
“I suggest we do not depart from the zoning arrangement but immediately take steps to address the grievances of the Midwest.”
He said NBA election should not be a “do-or-die affair,” adding that lawyers are not politicians.
Agbakoba said: “Based on current arrangements, it is the turn of the Southwest and we must all support candidates from the zone.
“Although not a binding convention, all past presidents have been elected based on zoning.
“I regret that the 2014 NBA presidential election is getting out of hand and I fear there will be dire consequences.
“We must not allow the election to become a do-or-die matter. We are not politicians.”
The Southwest has three major candidates after the regional forum, Egbe Amofin, could not agree on a consensus candidate.
The lawyer said there could be dire consequences, if the Yoruba do not produce the next NBA President.
He said the previous one was elected on the basis of zoning.
The Midwest fielded a candidate for the July election and he is said to enjoy the support of some NBA bigwigs.
In a letter yesterday to NBA President Okey Wali (SAN), Agbakoba said: “I recognise and empathise with the exclusion of the Midwest, but it is in our overall interest to maintain the zoning arrangement.
“I suggest we do not depart from the zoning arrangement but immediately take steps to address the grievances of the Midwest.”
He said NBA election should not be a “do-or-die affair,” adding that lawyers are not politicians.
Agbakoba said: “Based on current arrangements, it is the turn of the Southwest and we must all support candidates from the zone.
“Although not a binding convention, all past presidents have been elected based on zoning.
“I regret that the 2014 NBA presidential election is getting out of hand and I fear there will be dire consequences.
“We must not allow the election to become a do-or-die matter. We are not politicians.”
The Southwest has three major candidates after the regional forum, Egbe Amofin, could not agree on a consensus candidate.