By OLUWEMIMO OGUNDE SAN
The NBA Presidential Election 2020: the stand that I have taken
INTRODUCTION
- I had always declared my support for a candidate contesting any NBA elective position by voting for him. For the first time, I am going to support a presidential candidate by doing more than just voting. The candidate is NOT the candidate adopted by the Egbe Amofin Oodua or the NBA, Ikeja Branch to which I have belonged since 1984. To be fair, all the presidential candidates are my friends. I believe all of them are eminently qualified to lead the NBA. However, the Egbe Amofin Oodua has adopted a candidate. Why am I not supporting him, particularly when I say he is my friend and a suitable candidate?
- I have another challenge, which may be known to only Yoruba lawyers. I am Chief Hubert Ogunde’s son, who has come to be identified with the promotion of Yoruba unity. Being his son, I may be accused of opposing Yoruba solidarity, by my taking a stand that appears to be different from what a body that seeks to advance the interests of Yoruba lawyers has directed.
THE ROOT OF MY DECISION
- I cannot deny that I am a Yoruba lawyer. However, my views about regional or ethnic association of lawyers remain with me and they may not necessarily be the same as the general view. I do not believe I need to reveal or discuss them in explaining why I took a stand different from that of the Egbe. However, I am quick to state that I am NOT a “tribalist” in the way we understand that idea in Nigeria, neither was my father. The song, “Yoruba Ronu” was written to deal with an internal Yoruba problem which to him, bothered on treachery. Even in that instance, he took a STAND that was not acceptable to the Government of the day and his family suffered for it, including me.
- Of all the presidential candidates, the candidate I now stand with was the first to approach me and solicit my support. He shared with me his vision for a more professional and prosperous Bar, particularly a Bar that would promote the general interest of the your lawyers beyond just giving them an “NBA Young Lawyers Forum”. On my belief that these ideals are not just campaign promises, borne out of my own discreet due diligence, I pledged my support. I have always had ideas on how to make the NBA render useful, profitable and permanent help for our teeming young lawyers, particularly those who are seven years or younger at the Bar. I believe that a victory for him would give me an opportunity to revolutionise the way our young lawyers perceive themselves and the Bar. My choice stands on these twin pillars.
THE ADOPTION BY THE EGBE
- In our culture as Yorubas, we don’t attack or antagonise our elders in public. I cannot then use this forum to comment on the decision taken by the Egbe to adopt a candidate. My views shall remain with me or would be expressed if our elders need my opinion. All I would say is that the decision to adopt a candidate came LONG AFTER I had committed myself to one who was NOT adopted. It would be perfidious, to say the least, to abandon him just because the Egbe did not adopt him. I was not brought up with such values. I pray my candidate wins. I will support him to the end. If he does not win, so be it. There will be no regrets. One candidate must win and another must lose.
THE AFTERMATH
- It’s a pity that the decision of the Egbe has now engendered some unfortunate consequences. Even Yorubas are now quarrelling among themselves. In the South-west, lawyers who are honest enough to dissent have been subjected to unnecessary verbal attacks. I do not know what would happen to me for expressing this view. I am of the view that we should be tolerant of dissent. As Hegel said, it is the thesis and the antithesis that produces a synthesis. My appeal is that all of us must respect the right to freedom of thought and conscience. I hope my appeal would be heeded. We are all members of the same fraternity and whoever emerges as President must meet a National Bar that is tolerant of opposing views.
- #ISUPPORTAJIBADE#
