FREE, FAIR, CREDIBLE ELECTIONS… INDISPENSABLE FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT • NBA advocates as Gani Fawehinmi Lecture holds in Lagos
By Yomi Oyelami, Trek Africa Newspaper
President, NBA, Yakubu C. Maikyau, OON, SAN
The 2023 elections are less than 50 days. It is imperative that they are considered free, fair, and credible by watchers especially as they are essential for national development.
This is what the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) reiterated at the 19th Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture yesterday, Sunday 15th January 2023 in Lagos, Trek Africa Newspaper can report. Hosted by NBA Ikeja branch, this edition coincided with the Call to Bar Anniversary of the late legal colossus and the Armed Forces Remembrance Day. The event is a platform to discuss topical issues in the country and to provide intellectual interventions.
The keynote address based on the lecture theme ‘Free, Fair and Credible Election as Indispensable Tool for National Development’ was delivered by Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei, UN International Elections Commissioner. The address centred on the imperativeness of a free, fair election as a precursor to national development and it impacts on democratic administration. The speaker examined the different challenges currently ravaging the country, particularly the security situation and the economic downturn. She highlighted the various limitations in our electoral system and also urged the NBA and her leadership to take firm stance on issues affecting our legal jurisprudence and polity.
Mr Mike Igini, Former Resident Electoral Commissioner, Akwa Ibom State and Commodore Kunle Olawumi, Public Affairs Analyst were the discussants.
This year’s edition attracted many important dignitaries including the Chief Host, Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu who was represented by the Attorney General of Lagos State Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN. The Special Guests were the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba; Professor Akin Oyebode who was the Chairman of the occasion, immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association Mr Olumide Akpata, alongside several Senior Advocates and leaders of the Bar and Civil Societies. Others are foremost human rights activist, Mr Femi Falana, SAN; Mr Dele Adesina, SAN; Roland Otaru, SAN; Dr Kunle Ojo, SAN; former chairmen of the NBA Ikeja Branch and some national officers of the Nigerian Bar Association including the General Secretary, Mr Adesina Adegbite; the 3rd Vice President, Mrs. Mandy Asagba; the National Welfare Secretary, Chinyere Obasi; the National Publicity Secretary, Habeeb Lawal Akorede; the National Assistant Publicity Secretary, Charles Ajiboye as well as the representative of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.
In his speech, the host of the event, the NBA President Yakubu C. Maikyau, OON, SAN extolled the virtues of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi. He referred to many of his exemplary interventions through legal activism and advocacy as part of what shaped our political landscape.
