NBA, godfatherism and the Nigeria question

NBA, Nigerian Bar Association, is a non-profit, umbrella professional association of all lawyers admitted to the bar in Nigeria. It has been in the news for obvious wrong reasons. Recently, the association’s attempt to elect principal officers turned the legal body apart. It resulted in factions. The sad development has bearings with the role of godfatherism in the Nigerian political system. And this has been worrisome, to say the least. John Kokome, a Public Relations expert and Public Affairs Analyst, presents his perspective in this piece, published below, unedited

Will godfatherism ever end in any political space, be it locally or internationally? The answer is a capital NO, in as much as the game of politics exists and upcoming politicians look up to those who have been there long enough for guidance and direction, there will always be mentor and mentee (godfather-godson).

Even in the religious and business circles, there are godfathers and godsons relationship predicated on mutual trust and respect on both parties. Personally, I do not believe there is anything wrong in having a godfather in any area of human endeavour, provided it will bring about growth and sustainable development for the greater good of the society.

However, what many people have frowned at, which I totally align myself with is a retrogressive godfather-godson relationship, which should not be. The relationship ought to be a symbiotic relationship and not a parasitic one, meant to sniff political life out of the godson and draw the society backward. Events in the recent past have proven that godfathers in Nigeria politics are a bane to our democratic experience as a nation.

DISTURBING POLITICAL SPACE

It is interesting to note, that the recent development in the political space in Nigeria is quite very disturbing and embarrassing, where political godfathers become unnecessarily overbearing on their so called political godson(s) at the detriment of the state. What we need are progressive godfathers and not the other way round. In every human relationship, there are bound to be disagreement here and there, and that is normal in life, but must not degenerate to a public spectacle where state apparatus of governance are halted to satisfy the whims and caprices of one man, which is what most political godfathers in Nigeria have turned political disagreements to.

There is no amount of money or education that can guarantee a young politician the required political experience overnight, without going through the tutelage of a godfather this is where the godfather factor comes to play in politics. It should be on record that both the godfather and godson are equally important for a smooth political journey. After all, leaders are products of followers, without a godson there will never be a godfather.

The Edo State political experience as well as several others, has clearly shown that there will always be rebellious tendency of godsons towards their so-called godfathers who arrogate to themselves powers constitutionally far beyond their reach.

Going forward, godfathers in Nigerian politics must learn how to conduct themselves properly before their godsons, if they want to continue to be relevant and earn the respect they so deserve within the polity. No man knows it all, except God. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Power belongs and comes only from God Almighty not from godfathers nor godsons. Therefore, let no man play God in the affairs of men!

NBA becoming too political

The interest of the common man is usually better protected in any society by the judiciary. That arm of government is saddled with the responsibility of interpreting the law without fear or favour. Hence, it is referred to as the last hope of the common man. The rich, poor, small and big etc benefit from the law as enshrined in the country’s constitution.

Aristotle, the great philosopher and political scientist was noted to have alluded that man by nature is a political animal. Nature does nothing in vain. It has equipped humans with speech to communicate moral concepts. That includes justice which are formative of the household and city-state. Based on that assumption, one can understand why some judicial officers also dabble into politics.

However, the recent development within the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, the umbrella body of all legal practitioners in the country is most unfortunate and it calls for deeper reflection by every well-meaning citizen. This goes to show how fragile we are as a country right now.

NBA DISAGREEMENT

The just concluded election of the association, observers alleged, was characterized by high level of irregularities and manipulations. It is still a cause of disagreement within the NBA. The formation of a splitter group known as the New Nigeria Bar Association (NNBA) has further worsen the situation. The move was initiated when a speaking opportunity initially offered to Governor Nasir El-Rufai was withdrawn at the last minute. The decision to withdraw the speaking opportunity was as a result of petition written against him by aggrieved members. The petitioners felt Rufai did not to have handled the killings going on in Southern Kaduna properly. The promoters of the splinter group are predominately from the northern part of the country. They felt Rufai was not fairly treated and as such cannot stand by and watch the NBA humiliate the governor.

Therefore, one could conclude that the Nigerian Bar Association is unnecessarily becoming too political. Its action is capable of further widening the already fractured unity in the country. The development has clearly polarized the northern and southern part of the country along ethnic and religious divide. It is most unfortunate and very dangerous trend in our democratic experience.

The NBA should be a leading light to other associations and bodies in the country, because in their ranks and files are very learned individuals who have distinguished themselves in the profession and are pride to the nation.

It is not too late for the NBA to have a round table discussion and amicably resolve the various lingering issues threatening to tear the body apart, well-meaning Nigerians should wade into the matter and help them find a lasting solution to the problem. A house divided against itself cannot stand!

John Kokome, kokomejohn@yahoo.com