On the 24th day of August 2021, the newly instated Executive President of the Law Students’ Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), Ms Harriet Eluma, remarkably addressed all law students of the federation in a well-detailed speech.
The events which led to the new development in LAWSAN was described by the current president as a perilous situation. In her own words, “I received with great shock and melancholic dismay the news of the impeachment of the immediate past National President…, Dr Blessing Agbomhere…”. As was stated in the official letter of LAWSAN Senate House, the past president was impeached on proven grounds of misconduct.
Ms Harriet Eluma considered it expedient to tender an apology to the LAWSAN populace saying, “you deserve much better than you have received and experienced in recent times from across all arms…”
After acknowledging that the present situation is a very dicey one, the current LAWSAN President stated that she inquired about the impeachment and took actions “to ascertain if it is consistent with the provisions of our Constitution and regular practice”. All necessary legal findings revealed that “the impeachment was reached in harmony with all relevant laws and support of the overwhelming majority.”
Moving on, Ms Harriet Eluma with a tone of humility and following the provisions of Section 13 LAWSAN Constitution (As Amended in 2019) stated unequivocally that: “I HARRIET ELUMA accept to take up the office of National President of LAWSAN till the end of the tenure of the 2020/2021 administration.”
The National President further explained that these are not pleasant times for Lawsanites across Nigeria and employed them all to “rebuild broken bridges and mend cracked walls”. Like one with a positive vision, she encouraged Nigerian law students to unite by opening the floor for negotiations and discussions.
In the spirit of ensuring unity, the National President urged those aggrieved to “let go of all divisive grudges and embrace peace as we build the LAWSAN of our dreams.”
With a promise to convene a meeting of the National Electoral Commission(NEC) to chart a course for a smooth transition, the National President Ms Harriet Eluma thanked everyone for their kind understanding and cooperation. In her final words, “I believe this unanimous support will be the unifying force we require at the time. LAWSAN will be great again, certainly and definitely.”
