The Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) Uyo Branch has denied reports that, it, along with the three other NBA Branches in Akwa Ibom State had endorsed People’s Democratic Party governorship candidate, Umo Eno clarifying that the group’s meeting with him was for consultative and presentation of manifesto purposes only.
In a statement titled “PDP Governorship Candidate’s Consultative Meeting with Lawyers in Akwa Ibom State: The Facts,” the Uyo bar made it known that:
“The attention of the Nigerian Bar Association, Uyo Branch in Akwa Ibom State has been drawn to misinformation in the media regarding the recent consultative meeting of the PDP Gubernatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno with members of Uyo Branch, and the other branches of NBA in Akwa Ibom State. To set the record straight, it is pertinent to state as follows:
The PDP Gubernatoiral Campaign Council in Akwa Ibom State requested an opportunity to consult with lawyers under the platform of the four Branches of the NBA in the state.”
“The consultative meeting held on Wednesday, 25th January, 2023 at the NBA Uyo Branch Secretariat Complex, Uyo and brought together members of the NBA from across the four branches of NBA in Akwa Ibom State, the PDP Gubernatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom State as well as members of the PDP Gubernatorial Campaign Council.
During the consultative meeting, the PDP Gubernatorial candidate presented his manifesto on a variety of issues, and sought to enlist the support of lawyers in Akwa Ibom State pursuant to the forthcoming election.
Participants at the meeting made comments and asked questions on issues touching the rule of law, administration of justice, policy Implementation, and compliance with electoral best practices.
Participants at the meeting commended the PDP Gubernatorial Candidate for Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno being the first gubernatorial candidate in the state to intimate members of the NBA on his manifesto and leadership vision, and wished him well
Some participants commended the PDP Gubernatorial Campaign Council for the citizenship engagement with lawyers in Akwa Ibom State and encouraged political office seekers to deepen the culture of citizen engagement as the mainstay of democratic governance in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
The consultative meeting served as a platform for interaction between the PDP Gubernatorial candidate and lawyers across the four branches of NBA in Akwa Ibom State, as major stakeholders in the democratic process. It was not conceived as an occasion for political endorsement and was not used as such, especially so, as it was not a formal Branch meeting or event.
The NBA Uyo Branch condemns all manner of distortion of facts, misinformation and ill-informed conclusions relating to the said consultative meeting.
The NBA Uyo Branch remains committed to the fine ideals of the legal profession as primus inter pares in the cause of strengthening the rule of law, administration of justice and democratic advancement in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
