Chief Godwin O. Effiong, JP, past Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Oron Branch, has questioned the silence of Professor Chidi Odinkalu over controversies that trailed the last election of the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL).

In a commentary, Effiong noted that while Odinkalu had been vocal in criticizing Nigeria’s political class and the judiciary during a keynote address at a recent conference, he did not publicly address what Effiong described as issues surrounding the integrity of the SPIDEL election process.Effiong also raised concerns over what he termed “selective outrage” by some commentators, alleging that there was little criticism when decisions affecting the SPIDEL electoral process and the constitution of the NBA Electoral Committee were taken.

He further referenced reactions from a female aspirant reportedly disqualified in the SPIDEL election, who questioned the silence of some prominent voices during the controversy.

According to Effiong, many members of the Bar are increasingly concerned about governance issues within the Association and are calling for greater transparency and consistency in the defence of institutional principles.

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