I have read a publication by Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN titled “NBA 2020 Elections: I Do Not Think We Should On The Basis Of The Elections Take Steps To Bring Down Each Other.” It is interesting to note that Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN in making this statement referred to the publication made by Mr. Adesina Adegbite in reaction to the false allegation on payment of his 2018 Bar Practicing Fee and the very misguided and sponsored petition by one, Mr. Valerian Nwadike, calling for the disqualification of the leading Candidate in the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association Election. It is amazing that Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN found it convenient to refer to Mr. Adegbite’s reaction to a cause which tends to challenge Adegbite’s professional integrity, but decided to be silent on the misleading and highly-disrespectful petition.
However, it is gratifying to note that Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN in his statement found it necessary to deny having a hand in Mr. Valerian Nwadike’s malicious petition to the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association seeking to disqualify Mr. Dele Adesina SAN. Whether this denial is real or make-believe is another thing altogether, but, certain questions need be answered. Who is Mr. Valerian Nwadike? What role is he playing in this on-going NBA Presidential Election if any? How was Mr. Valerian Nwadike able to lay his hands on the workings of the NBA Ikeja Branch Electoral Committee, a Committee which he is not a member?
I personally decided to go on various social media platforms to find out his identity. After a careful search on various social media platforms, I was able to link Mr. Valerian Nwadike irresistibly with Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN’s project. He is a leading member of his campaign on the social media. Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN’s campaign posters and pictures littered Valerian Nwadike’s Facebook Account. A further search revealed that he was at the Nigerian Law School between 2015 till 2017. The construction and language of the Petition does not resemble that of a three (3) year old at the Bar. The objective of the Petition is loud and clear and that is to embarrass the person of Dele Adesina SAN and diminish or destroy his chances in the forthcoming elections perhaps to the benefit of Nwadike’s candidate. Doubtlessly, that objective has not only failed but it has backfired. No wonder the purported disclaimer of the Learned Senior Advocate which is nothing but a face-saving measure. Regardless of what one says, everyone will be judged by his actions and the actions of those around him. The Legal Profession is a Learned and Honourable Profession. We cannot be members of a Honourable Profession and at the same time be dishonouring our members, particularly our SENIORS in the Profession.
It is hoped that ALL candidates adopting ‘pull down’ strategy and the people around them will henceforth live by this above injunction.
Dave Ajetomobi Esq.
Past Chairman,
NBA Ikeja Branch
