Lagos — Former President of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Mrs. Boma Alabi, SAN, has urged members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to seize the opportunity to elect their national officers through genuine internal democracy, free from the influence of regional blocs.
In a media parley with law editors ahead of the NBA national elections scheduled for July 18, Alabi described the practice of regional forums endorsing or adopting candidates as outdated and counterproductive in the modern NBA.
“The truth is this practice belongs in the dark ages, not in 2026,” she said. “Adoption by regional fora may have had some utility in the past, but in today’s NBA, it has become more divisive than unifying.”
The senior advocate, who made history as the first female and first Black president of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, stressed that lawyers across the country desire the freedom to exercise their individual choices at the polls rather than being directed by interest groups.
“Lawyers across the country want to exercise their individual choice, not be told who to support by blocs. Open competition, free choice and universal suffrage are far more salutary than regional endorsements,” Alabi added.
She threw her support behind universal suffrage as a more democratic alternative to the delegates system, arguing that every lawyer deserves a voice in choosing the association’s leadership.
Alabi also addressed concerns about the electronic voting process, calling for transparency in the selection of the IT firm managing the election. She noted that while technical competence is essential, the perception of impartiality and the ability to audit the process are equally critical to building members’ confidence.
On reports of a possible memorandum from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation regarding the election, Alabi cautioned against any external intervention that could undermine the NBA’s independence.
“The NBA is an independent professional body, and its elections should be managed internally,” she said. “Unless there is clear and compelling evidence of malpractice, halting the process on external directives risks undermining our independence.”
The former NBA Section on Legal Practice Chairman rejected the notion that only Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) should be eligible for the position of NBA President. She maintained that leadership should be based on competence, integrity, and commitment to service rather than professional rank.
Alabi further advocated for greater gender inclusivity in the association’s leadership, expressing hope for the emergence of the NBA’s first female president.
“The NBA has yet to elect a woman as its president despite the immense contributions of female lawyers,” she said. “Supporting female leadership at this point in history would reflect progress, inclusivity and the evolving role of women in our profession.”
She however emphasised that competence must remain the primary consideration, adding that where a competent female candidate exists, diversity should also be given serious weight.
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