Notwithstanding what looks like a campaign targeted at destroying Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, efforts to lead the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) through the national elections scheduled to hold on July 20, three former Attorneys-General and Commissioners for Justice for Oyo, Ondo and Jigawa State, in that order, have strengthen their support for the presidential candidate.
The trio of Asiwaju Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, SAN; Kola Olawoye and Yakubu A. H. Ruba have expressed their faith in Osigwe’s capacity to turn around the NBA, the body, which they believe, is long due for transformation for more effective delivery of its purpose as a respected interest group in Nigeria and the largest Bar in Africa.
They described Osigwe as a man of honour and integrity whose uncompromising nature, tenacity for due process and incorruptibility defined his tenure as the General Secretary of the association.
“Integrity–personal and professional–matters to me a lot. So, I don’t compromise it under any circumstance. That is what Mazi represents that makes him my choice in this election. I must not forget to say that his insistence on justice saved my legal career, and have kept me in the legal profession to date,” he revealed.
Ojo, thus, appealed to all members of the Bar to cast their votes massively for Osigwe to benefit from his virtues and qualities required to lead the association.
Olawoye similarly attested to Osigwe’s vision, astuteness, articulation and undisguised commitment to the body as his selling point, which, according to him, members should not discountenanced.
“He is a leader who possesses a deep knowledge of the inner workings of a formidable Bar that will be the pride of all members of the legal profession. I hereby present to you Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN as the best candidate for the post of the President of NBA. Kindly vote for him as NBA President to birthe a courageous and progressive Bar,” he declared.
Ruba stressed the need for members to vote right by supporting Osigwe whom, he said, is far ahead of other candidates, in terms of purposeful leadership traits he had exhibited in his previous responsibilities.
In a statement, Ruba said, “at this critical moment in the history of the NBA, Nigerian lawyers can not afford to gamble by engaging in trial and error in entrusting the mantle of leadership of Africa’s most populous Bar. The choice of our president should be done meticulously. In doing that, the only ideal candidate that comes to mind is none other than Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN.”
Other top NBA members have equally thrown their weight behind Osigwe; one of whom is a serving Judicial Officer in one of the South-West states.
He described Osigwe as Omoluabi (a man of integrity) and traced his relationship with him to<span;> 2007 when he presented a book, ‘Current Perspectives in Law and Justice’ in honour of SMA Belgore CJN.
“Afam coordinated the affairs honestly and responsibly. This was an event that had former Heads of State , serving and former Chief Justices of Nigeria, Ministers and top echelon of the society , senior members of the Bar and the Bench in attendance,” he recalled.
Yet another member, who has embarked on rigorous campaign for Osigwe, appreciated members efforts so far and urged them to improve the campaign team’s online presence, saying they cannot afford to be complacent.
He said, “Every post, every share, and every bit of engagement is so important right now. I know we can do this. Your support means the world to me, and I couldn’t have asked for a better team. Together, we can make a real difference. Thank you all once again for everything.”
In continuation of the campaign, Osigwe has visited the Human Rights Commission office where he outlined his ambition and highlighted the NBA’s role in safeguarding human rights.
The candidate expressed his favourable disposition to a strong collaboration between the association and the Human Rights Commission.
He reiterated that the NBA is the voice of the legal profession and Nigerians, advocating for justice and the rule of law.
Osigwe renewed his promise to strengthen the Human Rights Committees within the NBA’s branches with a view to enhancing the NBA’s ability to address human rights issues effectively and to respond to concerns promptly and efficiently.
His visit to the commission is said to have further shown his commitment to advancing the legal profession and ensuring that the NBA remains a steadfast guardian of human rights in Nigeria.
Osigwe’s vision for the NBA “includes a more robust and responsive human rights framework that supports both legal practitioners and the general public.”
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