By Innocent Anaba

The Central Working Committee of Egbe Amofin, the South-West caucus of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, weekend, reaffirmed its position, that it was in support of the candidacy of Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN for the position of NBA president, in the election of the association, slated for July this year.

Chairman of the Egbe Amofin, Chief Adebayo Ayodele, who is also the chairman of Abeokuta branch of NBA, who addressed newsmen after the Lagos meeting, insisted that 17 branches out of the 23 branches that make up the South West bar, had on December 7, adopted Adesina as the group’s candidate.

There are three other candidates from the zone, gunning for the same position include Mrs Funke Adekoya, SAN; Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN and Osas Erhabor. Chief Ayodele, explained that, “We had directed Adesina in 2008 to step down for Chief Olarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.  Two meetings were held in Lagos and one at Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN’s place that at the next turn of the South West, that shall vote for him (Adesina). If in 2008, Adesina obeyed us, why must we not keep to our words since he listened to us the last time.

“We are-affirm our support for the aspiration of Mr Adesina, the endorsed candidate and charge him to continue to exploit all legitimate and realistic ways to sell his candidature.  We resolved to jointly and individually work hard to achieve a successful election of Adesina as the President of NBA come July 2014, he added.

Secretary of the association and chairman of   Ikere Ekiti branch of NBA, Mr Olubumi Olubade said “At  the August 17, 2013 meeting of the group, a committee was set up to screen all the candidates from the zone, who have shown interest in the NBA Presidency. The committee was to recommend the most acceptable candidate, in general acceptability to other zones, considering charisma, industry and some other criteria.

In a communiqué at the end of the meeting, the House also reviewed the current state of affairs with Egbe Amofin and in particular the Chief Aiku’s splinter group. The meeting considered the development as unfortunate, noting that “there is the need to allow equity, fairness and justice to prevail in this matter.

“The house resolved that the obvious destabilisation efforts of some of the members using the respected Chief Aiku should not be allowed to succeed. Same must continue to be resisted. The strength of the forum must be preserved.

“The house resolved to extend its hands of fellowship to all and similarly with a view to unite the forum under the principle of equality fairness and justice which are essential elements of democracy and rule of law.”