The Nigerian Bar Association’s withdrawal of invitation from Kaduna Governor Malam Nasir el-Rufai not to participate during its annual general meeting in a panel discussion on national identity has sparked huge ripples in the social media.
NBA Thursday withdrew the invitation following an outcry by some lawyers that the governor stands against what the profession represents.
Malam el-Rufai has reacted to the decision of NBA to withdraw an invitation previously extended to him to speak at its annual general meeting.
In a statement released on Thursday, August 20, by his spokesperson, Muyiwa Adekeye, Governor el-Rufai described the withdrawal of his invitation as an unfortunate embrace of injustice. He said he will continue to make his voice heard on the things the country needs to do to make progress.
“While the decision about who speaks at its event is clearly the NBA’s, Malam El-Rufai wishes to make clear that he did not seek the platform and is not agitated that he has one less speaking engagement,” the statement read.
“However, the circumstances of the last few days warrant some comments. That a professional organisation has elected to endorse a one-sided narrative on a profound national issue is something that its members may wish to reflect upon.
“For an association, whose bread and butter is about justice, to make a ruling based on the stridency of people who lampoon judicial processes against certain individuals without hearing the other side is odd. It bears noting that in its response to pressure, the NBA leadership has signalled an unfortunate embrace of injustice, unfairness, absence of fair hearing and total disregard for the rule of law.”
However, some individuals have reacted to the NBA’s stand. Somto Okonkwo @MrSomtoOkonkwo tweeted “This Same Blood Thirsty Midget, Nasir El Rufai Threatened To Kill Foreigners And Send Them Back Home In Body Bags If They Interfered In The Affairs Of Nigeria, Is Accusing Southern Kaduna People Of Slaughtering Themselves After He Paid Killer Herdsmen. NBA, Watch Your Back!”
The NBA, Dutse, Jigawa branch, has threatened to boycott the association’s annual conference. The chapter asked the national body of the NBA to reverse the withdrawal of Governor El-Rufai’s invitation to the conference.
Waheed Basit Adebayo @basitdebayo wrote “He was emotional he was cruised into trauma all because he is not rich he was stereotyped but now, he is the man of the people they have all realised his potential trying to befriend him again indeed fame has family.”
Halima gachi @halimagachi observed “I know it may not make any difference but I’m boycotting the virtual NBA AGC for the withdrawal of @elrufai as a guest speaker based on frivolous and unsubstantiated allegations #IStandWithElrufai.
Aisha Yesufu @AishaYesufu said “NBA listened to the voice of the people. Call for Wike’s removal too and they will listen. For now e dey sweet us as dem remove Elrufai
Dr. Guendouzi (The Cerebral Assassin) @fimiletoks And watch the narrative blow up in another dimension. Why is everyone silent on the community clashes in Anambra? Because they are Christians? Christians are free to kill each other..where are the NGOs? Where is the NBA? Why the constant focus on Elrufai?
Engr. ‘Gbeminiyi Ayodele Michael @MichAyo #elrufai is not the victim here. He has been withdrawn from NBA Conference, he will still have other conference & event to speak. But the people losing their lives in Southern Kaduna is my concern they will never get another life to live, there family wil forever be in deep pains
GENOCIDE IN SOUTHERN KADUNA @savndaniel pondered “The NBA invited @elrufai and they cancelled the invitation. What is the cry all about? Let @elrufai speak on security in any Bokoharam andor MURIC conference. Those ones will be eager to listen to his lies. Afterall, they know each other. He has being paying them compensation.”
Daddy D.O@DOlusegun said “Hello @NigBarAssoc and mr president @OlumideAkpata, here is one your speakers, a man by the Nyesom Wike threatening to kill anyone who supports the APC. Is this who you consider moral enough to speak to “law abiding lawyers”?
