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The Benin branch of the NBA has postponed the election slated for 23/08/2020 base on logistics. The information was made public by the secretary of the caretaker committee. The electoral committee is yet to sit and take a decision on this. This calls for suspicion.
I am used to postponement of elections, a formal notice shared with media and reasons. The candidates or their representatives make their input
In this case the postponement came less than 18 hours to the election. I have suffered some cruel damages haven rescheduled my vacation in the city of Abuja to Benin, so that I can vote and now it will cost me more to re organize same. There are receipts to prove this, if the need arises.
There might not be a provision in the bye law on this, but this is the ideal way to go.
Stakeholders must have the best interest of the bar at heart in reaching any decision. Reference will always be made to Agbakoba Olisa on the recent BOT decision on the just conducted national bar election. He acted as an hero in the interest of the larger community.
Back to the Benin branch election, the election was earlier postponed because a candidate was disqualified. A commitee was set up and funded and no decision was reached on the petition arising from that disqualification. A body of enquiry set up without an outcome of enquiry leaves much to be desired. This is another case of accountability gap for the USORO led leadership.
Back to the hearsay postponement, information available to us reveals that ballot papers have been printed, security fully booked, candidates and members ready to vote. So what else makes up the logistics chain? Again, if the reinstatement of a disqualified candidate serves justice will the disqualification of another candidate in the same election serves same? Lets allow our mind be consumed with making right decision even when u will be affected, a time will come when people are looking for right thinking persons, you will be contacted.
In conclusion, let’s come together to hold the bar accountable. We should not blame the stakeholders but ourselves. How many members are willing to call or question exco for the millions that fly out of the account of the organization for no tangible, approved and debated output. Funds are spent without receipt and appropriation and there is no single suit in court or protest letter from members.
Election postponed base on logistics for an organization that collects entrance fees for dinners from members of good standing yet have no reserve from where election can be financed. Being at home here, I know money has been donated for the conduct of the election and the committee is at home with the condust of the election save for some forces that wants it postponed so that a particular candidate can be disqualified and e- election conducted. There is no much I can say but let’s the lines made clear here assist our decision, advocacy and interrogation in the quest for a better Benin bar
President Aigbokhan, ESQ
Country Rep (NIGERIA)
West Africa Media Lawyers (WAMELA)
