NBA Crisis Deepens As Northern Delegates Distance Selves From Splinter Group

Chairmen of the various branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) that make up the northern geopolitical zone has disassociated themselves from the activities of some lawyers from the region.

You will recall that some lawyers of Northern extraction resigned there membership of the association to form a parallel NBA.

The splinter group emerged following the controversy that trailed the NBA decision to drop governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El Rufai, as a speaker at its just concluded annual general conference.

Subsequently, the group, which called itself the new NBA, said it had written attorney general of the federation, Abubakar Malami, intimating him of its readiness to formalise its existence.

A co-convener of the NNBA, Abdulbasit Suleiman, said over 5,000 lawyers have registered to join the newly formed association.

have pledged their support to the leadership of the association.

But at a meeting between president of the NBA, and the branch chairmen of the bar which held in Abuja on Wednesday, Olumide Akpata, the group pledged their unalloyed support to the leadership of the association, adding that it is not a party to the New NBA formed by some aggrieved northern lawyers.

In a statement made available to newsmen by acting chairman of Arewa Lawyers Forum, Elisha Kura, the group said Apata reiterated his commitment to leading a NBA that’s united on all from.

He appealed to all lawyers across the country irrespective of tribe to come together and support the the new national officers in order to help them fulfil their mandate.

“We have unanimously agreed to support his leadership of the NBA, and we hereby restate our true allegiance to the NBA and dissociate ourselves from the “New NBA” or any splinter group whatsoever making the waves in recent weeks as a new association/body of lawyers in Nigeria.”

“We understand that the NBA has historically and in recent times been fraught with several challenges but we are indeed assured that the NBA under the leadership of Mr Olumide Akpata will surmount these challenges and birth an all-inclusive Bar that will work for all Lawyers in Nigeria regardless of any part of the divide one may belong.

“We were gratified to hear the NBA president during his inaugural address restate that the bar that he wants to lead henceforth is one that is united on all fronts and which recognises that our diversity is our greatest strength.

“At the meeting today, Mr Akpata reassured us that his administration is very keen on ensuring that we do not have only a united bar but also an indivisible one, and we verily believe in him.

“We, therefore, urge all lawyers not only of the northern geopolitical zone, including those behind the establishment of the NNBA but indeed all legal practitioners in Nigeria to please come together to support Mr Olumide Akpata and the new national officers to ensure that they deliver on all their core mandates whilst indeed putting the rule of law, the welfare and capacity development of our members at the forefront.”