• ‘MY NEXT MOVE’ – BY ALIYU

Influential former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gwagwalada Branch, Mr. Isah Abubakar Aliyu has set tongues wagging as to his next political move following his sensational withdrawal from the race for NBA General Secretary.

Abubakar had in a statement made available to CITY LAWYER informed the legal community of his withdrawal from the impending race, saying: “I seize this auspicious time to officially inform you about my withdrawal from the race for the position of the General Secretary of the NBA due to the fact that I will be few months short of the required 15 years post-call qualification requirement for the position at the close of nomination.”

Aliyu argued that “in computing post-call, the first year of call should be included. This is clearly supported by a Federal High Court decision. I was called on the 3rd of November, 2009. I have paid my practicing fees for 15 years twice. I paid Twenty-five Thousand Naira (25,000.00) in the year 2023 and 2024.”

He however admitted that his bid ran foul of the NBA Constitution, saying it was a “grave oversight on our part.” His words: “But, the amended 2021 Constitution of the NBA clearly provides that I will only become Fifteen years post-call at the anniversary of my call for the purposes of election. That was a grave oversight on our part and it is only honorable that we withdraw from this race having realized this.”

His withdrawal has thrown up all manner of permutations for the fierce race for the influential post of NBA General Secretary.

It is recalled that CITY LAWYER had in its Special Report identified Aliyu among the five aspirants gunning for the position. Aside from Aliyu, the four other aspirants who had expressed interest in the position as at late last year were Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara of Ilorin Branch; fiery incumbent NBA Treasurer, Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop of Bukuru Branch; former NBA Bwari Chairman, Mr. Abubakar Tsav, and Mr. Idris Doko of NBA Lagos Branch.

Speculations are rife that following his withdrawal, Aliyu may throw his weight behind one of the other aspirants. Some political watchers claim that some aspirants have been hobnobbing with Aliyu in order to be in his good books.

Giving vent to this thinking, a trending post, which came on the heels of Aliyu’s withdrawal from the race, however warned other aspirants not to misrepresent the former NBA Gwagwalada chairman, saying: “Truth is, our friend Aliyu, has not pledged support to any of the Prospective GS Candidates.”

Issued by an amorphous group called “CONCERNED FRIENDS OF Isah A. Aliyu,” they however assured that “In due time, he will speak and direct us, his loyal supporters, where to go!”

The full text of the post reads:

Isah Abubakar Aliyu is now, the golden bride!
Everyone is posting pictures they took with him on social media, with one aim in mind.
USE YOUR TONGUE TO COUNT YOUR TEETH.

We kindly call on Aliyu, to come out and…

Truth is, our friend Aliyu, has not pledged support to any of the Prospective GS Candidates.

In due time, he will speak and direct us, his loyal supporters, where to go!

Let pictures with innuendos and double padded adjectives deceive you not!

*CONCERNED FRIENDS OF Isah A. Aliyu.*

However, at least one of the leading aspirants for the General Secretary position (name withheld) did not let the post go unnoticed, saying: “@⁨(name withheld), I hope you are not carrying another person’s matter on your head while dragging your own behind….. Because I now begin to wonder when you have suddenly become a member of ‘Concerned Friends of Isah A. Aliyu.”

Speaking to CITY LAWYER, Aliyu however said he was not contemplating endorsing any of the aspirants for the post of General Secretary, saying: “Will it make any sense for me to endorse any aspirant? I don’t think so.” According to him, that role should be reserved for regional associations to which the posts have been zoned.

Continuing, he however said that he would “support” any aspirant whose manifesto appeals to him.

The Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) will on Monday unveil the aspirants who have filed nominations for the forthcoming elections.

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