‘CASTING ASPERSIONS ON EGBE AMOFIN’S LEADERS MAY HURT YOUR CAMPAIGN,’ MURRAY WARNS YEMI AKANGBE

A MATTER OF TRUTH, UNITY, AND HONOUR: REBUTTAL TO MR. AKANGBE’S CASTIGATION OF EGBE AMOFIN’S ADOPTION PROCESS

By Muritala Oladimeji Abdul-Rasheed

The recent public statement by Mr. Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, purporting to “set the records straight” on the adoption of Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, as the consensus candidate of Egbe Amofin O’odua for the NBA Presidency in 2026, regrettably does not clarify, rather, it distorts.

While every lawyer has the unquestionable democratic right to pursue office, no aspirant has the licence to traduce the integrity of an institution, its leadership, and its carefully constructed processes simply because the outcome does not favour his personal ambition.

On the integrity of the process

Contrary to Mr. Akangbe’s claim that “no screening exercise took place” and “no objective parameters were set”, the facts, known to every aspirant and recorded in the Committee’s report, are clear:

First, a six-member Special Committee chaired by Mrs. Toyin Bashorun, SAN, and comprising Mr. Kunle Adegoke, SAN, Mr. Seun Abimbola, SAN, Mr. Gbemiga Daramola, Esq, Chief (Prof.) Fassy Yusuf, and Dr. Banke Olagbegi-Oloba (Secretary) was constituted with the mandate to engage all aspirants.

Then, the Committee met each aspirant individually and also in a collective forum to allow the free exchange of vision, objectives, and readiness for service.

Furthermore, six objective parameters were agreed upon and applied. These were: Experience and knowledge of the Bar’s workings, Appeal across NBA membership, Maturity and composure, Articulation of vision and objectives, Demonstrated commitment to the ideals of Egbe Amofin O’odua and Team spirit and willingness to defer to group decision

Lastly, each aspirant was assessed on these criteria. The results were presented to the full house at the AGM in Abeokuta, deliberated upon, and adopted unanimously by members present.

This is the very definition of a screening exercise based on objective parameters. To now deny its existence is to erase the labour of respected elders and impugn the credibility of a process witnessed by many.

On the mandate of Egbe Amofin

The Egbe Amofin O’odua is not an electoral umpire; it is a cultural, professional, and strategic caucus within the NBA that has, for decades, worked to ensure that the South-West speaks with one voice when its turn comes to lead the Association. Its consensus tradition is rooted in the wisdom that unity strengthens a region’s hand in the NBA’s competitive political field.

Mr. Akangbe was neither ambushed nor excluded. He was a full participant in the engagements, aware of the parameters, and given equal opportunity to persuade the Committee and the wider Egbe. That the outcome was not to his personal satisfaction does not transform a transparent exercise into “a predetermined imposition.”

On leadership conduct

True leadership is tested most in disappointment. The ability to respect collective decisions, even when they conflict with personal ambition, is a mark of maturity and statesmanship. Casting aspersions on the elders of Yoruba land, the executives of Egbe, and the Special Committee, all in one sweep, is neither necessary for one’s continued campaign nor beneficial to the unity of the Bar.

One may choose to continue in the NBA race as a free citizen and member of the Association, but one cannot claim the moral high ground while undermining the very values, respect, honour, and integrity, that our profession holds dear.

The Way forward

Egbe Amofin’s adoption of Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN was the product of open engagement with all aspirants, agreed and published evaluation criteria, objective assessment by a balanced panel and collective ratification by the AGM.

These are facts, not opinions. They stand unshaken by rhetoric and remain a matter of record.

The democratic space is, and remains, open to all. But let it be exercised with decency, without the corrosion of unfounded allegations, and with due regard for the dignity of our elders, the unity of our region, and the integrity of our professional processes.

In the end, leadership is not only about the office one seeks, it is about the example one sets in seeking it. Therefore truth must be upheld in all context of leadership and governance no matter whose ox is gored.

Muritala Oladimeji Abdulrasheed, SAN, Ph.D aka Murray, is a former National Publicity Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
The views expressed in this article are entirely those of the author and do not represent the opinion of CITY LAWYER or its publishers

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