NBA withdraws invitation to El Rufai

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has withdrawn its invitation to the Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir el-Rufai, who was billed to speak at its annual general meeting.

There had been a lot of dissenting voices when the invitation was extended to El Rufai.

A whole lot of lawyers had kicked against the choice of El Rufai, pointing at his poor human rights records and his inability to curb the killings in southern Kaduna.

A letter titled, ‘Request to Withdraw the Offer of Platform at the 2020 Annual General Conference of the NBA to Mallam Nasir el-Rufai,’ was consequently sent to the Chairman, Technical Committee on Conference Planning, Prof Koyinsola Ajayi.

There was also a petition, which was started by a lawyer, Usani Odum, that had garnered well over 3,150 signatures, urging that the governor must not be allowed to speak at the conference.

At a recent meeting, the leadership of the association decided to cancel the invitation, while also advising that El-Rufai should be informed immediately about the development.

The NBA however broke the news in a tweet saying: “The National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association at its ongoing meeting resolves that the invitation to the Kaduna State Governor, H.E. Nasir El-Rufai by the 2020 Annual General Conference Planning committee be withdrawn and decision communicated to the Governor”.

The NBA virtual conference, has been slated to hold from August 24-26, 2020.

Dignitaries expected to speak at the conference which has the theme: ‘Am I a Nigerian – A Debate on National Identity, the Indigeneship-Citizenship Conundrum.’ include the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

Others expected at the event include former Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Governor Wike of Rivers State and a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili.

The National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association at its ongoing meeting resolves that the invitation to the Kaduna State Governor, H.E. Nasir El-Rufai by the 2020 Annual General Conference Planning committee be withdrawn and decision communicated to the Governor.

— Nigerian Bar Association (@NigBarAssoc) August 20, 2020