• I NO LONGER PRIORITIZE REGIONAL ALIGNMENT

• QUITS VICE PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Legal scholar and Bar Leader, Prof. Foluke Dada-Lawanson has sensationally dumped Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential hopeful, Mr. Olumuyiwa Akinboro SAN and thrown her weight behind his rival, Mrs. Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya SAN.

The move may have brightened Badejo-Okusanya’s chances at the forthcoming NBA presidential election, moreso as it may have doused the fear of splitting the coveted bloc votes of female voters.

Her surprise move has sent shock waves through legal circles given that the Bar Leader had exactly two months ago announced that she was quitting the NBA presidential race to throw her weight behind Akinboro.

It was unclear at the time of this report whether a schism caused Dada to sensationally dump Akinboro for Badejo-Okusanya.

Dada had told CITY LAWYER last December that the trending news that she had stepped down for Badejo-Okusanya was “lies,” adding that her support for Akinboro was in line with the NBA Constitution which provides from inter- and intra-zonal rotation of key offices.

Her words: “The Yoruba legal tradition has always risen to meet the exigent needs of the Bar, and this moment calls for unity, clarity and purpose. It is in this spirit that I fully support the emergence of Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, as the sole candidate of the South-West for the office of President of the Nigerian Bar Association.”

In a scarcely veiled reference to godfatherism in NBA politics, Dada deprecated what she termed “Kangaroo” politics and “cabalism,” adding that “We must learn as women and play politics aright! I dream of a time in NBA when we become mature politically to achieve the dream of a female presidency by merit and not through “cabalism” or treacherous means! Let fair be fair!”

But Dada may have turned full circle with her latest move, saying: “Upon deep reflection and extensive consultation with members across the Bar, particularly the younger generation of female practitioners, I have realized that a unity built on the exclusion of competent female leadership is a compromise I can no longer sustain.

“The Nigerian Bar Association, in its long history, has never elected a female President. While I initially prioritized regional alignment, I have come to believe that our profession’s advancement depends on breaking this glass ceiling.”

Describing Badejo-Okusanya as “a distinguished daughter of the South West,” Dada stated that “Her success is not a threat to our regional interests; it is the ultimate realization of them. A victory for her is a victory for the South West and a testament to our region’s capacity to produce the very best.”

She argued that the Bar does not need a consensus candidate “if that consensus requires us to ignore merit and the urgent need for inclusive, female leadership at the highest level.

“I am aware that this decision will be met with resistance from those who prefer the comfort of the status quo.

“I accept that. Integrity is not found in following the crowd, but in having the courage to correct one’s path when it no longer aligns with one’s conscience.

“Consequently, I am formally withdrawing my participation from any previously announced coalition. I no longer aspire for any office for now as I concentrate on other career ambitions.

“I hereby declare my full and unreserved support for Mrs. Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya, SAN. Her credentials, integrity, and proven capacity to lead the Bar are beyond question.”

Hinting that her latest move would raise some eyebrows in legal circles, Dada stated that “I am prepared for the critiques that may follow. However, I believe that true unity cannot exist at the expense of principle.”

The Akinboro camp is yet to respond to the development which may be seen by some political watchers as a major setback for his political ambition.

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