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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has withdrawn its invitation to the Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir el-Rufai, who was billed to speak at its annual general meeting.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to the Kaduna State Governor, H.E. Nasir El-Rufai by the 2020 Annual General Conference Planning committee be withdrawn and decision communicated to the Governor”.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.