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Nigerian bar calls for strike
Lawyers urged to protest against last month's disputed presidential elections.
Last Modified: 14 May 2007 13:55 GMT

Nigerians' hopes for fair elections were dashed by widespread reports of vote-rigging  [AFP]
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has asked its members to hold a one-day strike in protest against perceived vote-rigging in last month's elections.
 
The NBA asked its members to boycott court duties on May 18 "to demonstrate our rejection of the elections", the organisation said in a statement published on Monday in national newspapers.
"The NBA considers the mismanagement of the 2007 general elections as a grave blow to the rule of law and democracy in Nigeria."
The bar association said the planned strike was to register its discontent for posterity.
 
It also urged aggrieved candidates to make full use of election tribunals to seek redress.

Election problems

April's elections for a new president, state governors and legislators were billed as the first fully democratic transition in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country and leading oil producer.

European observers instead reported that widespread fraud occured during the polls, which gave a landslide victory to the ruling party, and said the results were "not credible".

Opposition parties have called for a re-run but the constitution does not allow a second election to be held.

The lawyers' call follows an announcement by the Nigeria Labour Congress, an umbrella body of workers' unions, that it would also organise a two-day strike before May 29, when president-elect Umaru Yar'Adua is due to take office.
Source:
Agencies
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