The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Y. C. Maikyau OON, SAN has assured that the NBA will always defend the integrity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The NBA President made this remark when he and members of his entourage paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
He expressed his happiness at the way the Chairman of the Commission had conducted himself so far, which had earned the confidence of Nigerians to expect a successful election; especially with all apparatus that the Commission had put in place to ensure a free and fair elections.
Maikyau reiterated that the rule of law is the central call of members of the NBA and since Nigeria, and by extension, its agency (INEC) is a creation of law, it is only deserving that the NBA identifies with the Commission.
“We owe Nigerians as lawyers to sincerely participate in both pre and post election processes. We are here to say that the NBA is solidly behind the INEC. In fact when the news broke, of some NBA branches in a state endorsing a political candidate, we immediately issued a statement excluding them from participating in the observation of elections. And the reason we did that is the perception of the public, because we must not leave any trace of wrong perception of the NBA by the public. We would continue to stem out bad eggs amongst us and discipline them as the need arises.”
Maikyau commended the INEC chairman for looking out for members of the Nigerian Bar Association under his watch and acknowledged the growth of the lawyers working with the INEC, especially those who had attained the status of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu noted happily that Maikyau was the first President of the NBA to pay a courtesy call to the Commission under his watch, and heartily congratulated him on his victory at the NBA polls.
In response to the observation of Mr Maikyau, Prof Yakubu said, “We have always supported our own, who are lawyers; and we are committed to producing more Senior Advocates. INEC contributes to legal jurisprudence in the country. Election is governed by legal frameworks, the Constitution: which gives members of the Parliament power to make laws like the Electoral Act and then the Parliament gives INEC the power to make guidelines; which form part of subsidiary legislations.”
The chairman who revealed that he had a background in International Law said he has read over 500 judgments of court since he became the head of the Commission. “Over the years we have worked closely with the NBA and we are glad that NBA is one of the accredited observers for the elections and is deploying the largest number of observers in the country.”
He noted that observations help the INEC in making proper recommendations and urged the NBA to continue to maintain its neutrality.
Finally Prof. Yakubu asked that the Bar consider a partnership with the commission on a pro bono basis, if possible, in the area of pre-election litigation as INEC has been joined in about 1241 pre-election matters with relation to party primaries.
“INEC is committed to conducting credible and verifiable elections. The allegiance of the commission is to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we would deliver an election that will truly reflect the wishes of Nigerians’, he concluded.
The Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu then presented a plaque and other INEC paraphernalia to the NBA President, to mark the visit.
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