UPDATE: THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION TO THE RESCUE

(Please scroll down for initial post or simply click here).

Well, the lawyers did their thing this Friday. Nigerian newspapers are reporting that NBA-led protest had an impact. Apparently, 88 branches of the group observed the one-day boycott. That "paralysed the inauguration of the election petition tribunal for Oyo State scheduled to hold in Ibadan..." (The Guardian).

According to the BBC, teams of lawyers were seen going from court house to court house to ensure that the boycott was enforced. Consequently, courts were unable to function.

The head of the NBA , Mr. Akinboro said, “NBA is not protesting against the results of the April elections, but it is protesting against the electoral processes leading to the results, beginning from the shoddy voter registration process to the eventual elections.”

I cannot express how glad I am to see that Nigerians are taking an opportunity to stand up for themselves and that the cause is being led by lawyers, no less. In fact, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other civil groups plan a protest by going on strike on May 29th.

I encourage all Nigerians to take a stand against the electoral process on May 29th. Get a copy of the Manifesto (right here at this blog) and place it on your blogs. Let us, together, send a message.