Abibo Replies Ojukwu: You Set the Rules, Guidelines & the Template for Adoption at EBF
I have just read with shock and dismay the statement credited to Prof Ojukwu (SAN) on his views about EBF Adoption. Is this how human beings are? The Bible is clear and correct that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh. It is what a man says that truly defines his character. What a world?
It is most unfortunate for Prof to proclaim himself a “democrat”. Since when? Unfortunately, he did not state when? Is he a genuine “democrat” or a turncoat “democrat” eager to denigrate his brothers from the East only because it pleases him to now run for President of the NBA. It is only the Prof that now knows, understands and applies the principles of “democracy” because of self-centered ambition and self-glorification without any antecedent or evidential basis. One first perfidy of the Prof is to seek to award marks to himself in his closet without considering the greater good for the greater majority in respect of the plum that belong to us all. There are other perfidies in the treatise by Prof.
It is surely a matter of conscience for the Prof to denigrate and seek to destroy a house he spent over 10 years to nurture and build because of seeking 2 years of vain glory. Is the Prof saying, it is only the EBF that is practicing the adoption principle in the NBA even now in this country? Is the Prof mute to the adoption processes of all the other groupings and foras in the NBA? I was also a Pioneer member of the EBF Governing Council when Prof was Chairman. He, it was, who set the Rules and Guidelines and indeed the template for adoption of candidates for national offices. Prof also, on behalf of the EBF, negotiates with other foras to sell our candidates and those from other foras that the EBF would support at the elections. It was Prof who drafted the first EBF Constitution which he rail road for adoption at a meeting in Omoku in Rivers State. It is therefore, uncharitable for Prof to say “Let the 10 people who collected money from them in Port Harcourt vote for them vote for those they had adopted”. Implicit in this wrong assertion is that Prof was himself trading when he was Chairman of the EBF and running the show. This statement by Prof is inglorious.
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Contrary to the turncoat submissions of Prof; the process of adoption is devoid of imposition. The template is a fine-tuned process that brings the best candidates forward. The candidates are thoroughly screened by a clear and transparent process of sniffing the wheat from the chaff. The process also involve a thorough double-check of the presentability of the candidates to the NBA; (the type the Prof is scared of). The process also ensures an equitable and seamless distribution of offices amongst the various branches and also obviates a rancorous system of presentation of candidates in a plural yet multifaceted society such as ours. This adoption process also provides the best opportunities for junior colleagues from the remotest branches to be considered for NBA election at the National level. The robust meetings of the EBF ipso facto other foras have turned out to be veritable training grounds for younger colleagues and middle level lawyers. Curiously, the greatest beneficiaries of and from the adoption process are its greatest antagonists today for the sole reason of selfishness, desperation and unbridled self aggrandizement. Physician, or is it new “democrat”, please heal thyself. It is a truism, that in all the facets of life and as society evolves, charity begins at home. The EBF, in the entire NBA, from our recent history, is the only group in the country that is unable to speak with unanimity when it comes to Presidential Elections in the NBA. The picture and posture of the Prof gives further vent to this unfortunate situation. Is it therefore wrong for the EBF to try to speak with one voice, even for once? The firm resolve of the EBF this time around is to enthrone orderliness; worthiness and put its best foot forward by presenting a mercurial candidate, ARTHUR OBI OKAFOR, SAN, FCIarb.
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The argument of the Prof that “adoption” has outlived its usefulness because of universal voting since 2014 is puerile. Is every lawyer, because he/she is a lawyer, a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NBA? Are the decisions, sometimes onerous ones, taken by NEC, not poured down the throat of the generality lawyers, NBA members inclusive? No matter how enticing the arguments of our Prof is looked at and having regard to the nascent history and actions including his role in the EBF as aforestated, vis-à-vis national elections, he is, with respect, merely speaking from the two sides of the same mouth for selfish and undisclosed reasons. In everything one does in life; betrayal of brothers and fellow travelers is the worst perfidy that a person can commit. It is even worse to embellish that betrayal with arguments that have no tripod on which to stand. Prof Ojukwu still has time to search his conscience because as the Guardian Newspaper puts it “Conscience is an open wound, only truth can nurture it.” Prof still owes the EBF an apology even after the elections where surely he would come up last.
Hiding under the acronym, “Teacher”, Prof has been attacking a system spanning so many years from which he had taken so much benefits including accolades as Chairman of EBF. This turncoat position of the Prof; it is posited is aimed at the uninformed; misguided; indifferent and misled minority of our NBA members. If superior arguments must win; adoption enthrones careful selection; acceptability and present-ability of candidates. Adoption ultimately confirms the acceptability of a candidate, and not otherwise. Acceptability at home plus sell-ability to other foras resulting in a proper and fitting candidate for NBA National office. No wonder one Musician stated that “Teacher, do not teach me nonsense”.
The EBF have spoken with one voice, and the voice of the people is the voice of God Almighty; irrespective of the diatribes and tantrums of Prof. I am prepared for a public debate any day and any time on the utility and viability of the adoption system which has immutable benefits that have been time tested whether under the Delegates or Universal System of Voting. It is the surest path to a rancor free electoral process in a multi-ethnic and multi-faceted society such as ours.
I so submit, with respect.
Sir Granville I. Abibo SAN, MCIarb, KSC, JP
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