“Rank may command respect, but merit earns confidence. Leadership requires both, yet depends ultimately on the latter.”
The attention of Philemon’s Force has been drawn to a curiously crafted editorial titled: “Keeping the SAN Rank Above Branch Politics” which raises an important conversation about leadership within the Bar.
We welcome that conversation because a vibrant Bar is built on the free exchange of ideas. However, we respectfully disagree with the conclusion that the office of Chairman of the NBA Branch should, as a matter of principle, be outside the reach of Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
The Nigerian Bar Association is a democratic institution. Its Constitution does not create two classes of lawyers for the purpose of leadership. Every qualified member, whether a Senior Advocate or not, is entitled to present himself or herself for service, while every member retains the sovereign right to decide who is best suited to lead.
To therefore suggest or even purport to insist, that the elevation of a lawyer to the rank of SAN must automatically disqualify that lawyer from branch leadership inadvertently converts an honour earned through merit into a limitation on service.
It is respectfully submitted that such a limiting proposition finds no support in either the Constitution of the NBA or the traditions of our profession.
The suggestion that a SAN’s presence as Branch Chairman inevitably suppresses younger lawyers or discourages dissent is also wildly speculative. Leadership is determined by character, competence, merit, temperament, and commitment to inclusion, not necessarily by rank. History has shown that both SANs and non-SANs have produced outstanding leaders as well as ineffective ones. The decisive question therefore, is not who bears the silk, but who best serves the best interests of the Bar.
Indeed, many Senior Advocates have devoted decades to mentoring young lawyers, sponsoring continuing legal education, opening doors to opportunities, and strengthening Bar institutions.
Their willingness to seek elective office, even within the Branch framework, should be seen as an extension of that commitment to service rather than an attempt to dominate grassroots branch politics.
Beyond all contentions, it must be stated that the office of Branch Chairman is not a ceremonial position. It demands administrative competence, institutional memory, advocacy, negotiation, and the ability to engage effectively with the Bench, government institutions, and the wider legal community. These are qualities that may be found in both SANs and non-SANs alike.
Ultimately, democracy is not preserved by restricting who may contest; it is preserved by allowing members to choose freely.
If the members believe that a person, who by dint of hard work and Providence has attained the rank of SAN, offers the best vision, competence, integrity, and capacity to unite the Bar, and is willing, available and presents him or herself to serve, that democratic choice deserves all due respect, just as much as the election of a non-SAN.
To this end, therefore, we make bold to emphasise, that the campaign of *Yakubu Philemon, SAN* has never been founded on the proposition that he deserves office because he is a Senior Advocate.
On the contrary, his candidacy rests on a demonstrable record of accessibility, mentorship, accountability, professional excellence, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of lawyers across all cadres.
This election should therefore not be reduced to a contest between SANs and non-SANs. It should remain what it truly is; a choice between ideas, vision, competence, and capacity to deliver.
Let us preserve the unity of the NBA Abuja Branch, (Unity Bar) by resisting incendiary narratives that divide us by rank, or other such divisionary narratives. The Unity Bar will always be at its strongest when every member, irrespective of status or seniority, is free to aspire, to serve, and to be judged solely on merit.
Service has no rank. Leadership has no monopoly. Democracy has no hierarchy. The choice belongs to the members.
We wish all parties a successful run at the elections.
SIGNED
PHILEMON’S FORCE
YAKUBU PHILEMON SAN CAMPAIGN ORGANISATION
