FeaturedHighlightTrending Story

Just in: NBA leadership bows to pressure, rescinds Gov. el-Rufai’ s IV as conference speaker

504

 

Outraged by members reactions, the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) says it has withdrawn its invitation to Kaduna State Gov. Nasir el-Rufai to speak at its 2020 Annual General Conference.

The protests from some lawyers shook the association to its roots as it bowed to their wishes.

The NBA said in a tweet on Thursday via its Twitter handle @NigBarAssoc: “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to the Kaduna State Governor, H.E. Nasir El-Rufai, by the 2020 Annual General Conference Planning committee be withdrawn and decision communicated to the Governor.”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 theme of the conference which holds from August 24-26, 2020, is: “Am I a Nigerian – A Debate on National Identity, the Indigeneship-Citizenship Conundrum.”

Persecondnews had reported that a group of lawyers under the aegis of 0pen Bar Initiative had forwarded a petition signed by Silas Onu and Auta Nyada,

to the Chairman, Technical Committee on Conference Planning, Prof. Koyinsola Ajayi, that the governor must not be allowed to speak at the conference.

They listed 10 allegations against el-Rufai and his son, Bello, who is a Special Adviser to Kaduna Central lawmaker, Senator Uba Sani.

Also, a lawyer, Mr Usani Odum, had protested and garnered over 3,150 signatures on Change.Org as of 4 pm on Thursday.

The lawyers cited el-Rufai’s alleged poor human rights record and his inability to stop the killings, particularly in southern Kaduna.

They also recalled many controversial utterances of the governor, including a threat during the run-up to the general elections in 2019 that any foreigner that interfered in the poll would leave Nigeria in body bags.

Guest speakers include former President Olusegun, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), former Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Governor Wike of Rivers State and a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili.

Others are Sokoto Gov. Aminu Tambowwal and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Ahead of 50th Anniversary: Oyo Govt Unveils N63.4bln Renovation Plan for Government House

The Oyo State government has approved a whopping N63.47 billion for the...

Alleged terrorism: FG closes case against Nnamdi Kanu

The Federal Government on Thursday closed its case in the ongoing trial...

Defamation trial: Ezekwesili, Yesufu, others storm court for Akpoti-Uduaghan

A show of solidarity unfolded at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High...

Social Media Unstoppable, FG Won’t Muzzle Media – Information Minister

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, has acknowledged...

Just in: Defamation: Court grants Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan N50m bail, adjourns until Sept. 23

A Federal High Court sitting in Maitama in the Federal Capital Territory...

Defamation: Akpoti-Uduaghan arrives in court for arraignment

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended representative for Kogi Central Senatorial District, has...

GF Moves to Tackle Food Insecurity, Poor Infrastructure

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has identified key factors driving the rising...

Consistent Innovations, Capacity Building Key to Quality Healthcare – Dr. Peterside

Dr. Dakuku Peterside, a renowned turnaround expert and accomplished technocrat, says continuous...

TCN Inaugurates Committee to Drive Power Sector Recovery, Boost Grid Efficiency

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah In a renewed push to reform Nigeria’s ailing...

Enugu Govt Inaugurates LOC for 23rd National Sports Festival, NSC Hails Gov. Mbah

The Enugu State Government has taken a significant step towards hosting the...

World Drug Day 2025: Marwa, UNODC urge public, state govts to join fight against illicit substance abuse

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),...

Vandalism, Obsolete Infrastructure, Underfunding Threaten Nigeria’s Transmission Network – TCN MD

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah Delayed energy reform, incessant large-scale vandalism, obsolete infrastructure,...

Benue Killings: Tinubu Queries Security Chiefs Over Lack of Arrests

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday expressed surprise that no arrests were made...

Gwarinpa Hotel Female Murder: FCT Police Launch Manhunt for Man Friend

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has initiated an investigation into...

University’s ‘No Bra, No Exam’ Rule Sparks Outrage, It’s Sexual Assault, Students Say

Female students at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, have reportedly...

Benue Bloodshed: Tinubu Approves Cattle Ranch to End Farmer-Herder Clashes

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a ranch in Benue...

Just in: Nigeria’s Biodiversity Gets Boost as FG Validates National Strategy

The Federal Government has approved the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan...

Benue Attack Survivor: ’20 of My Family Were Burnt Alive

A survivor of the recent attack in Yelewata, Benue State, has recounted...

$17m fraud: US Court Slaps 159-Year Jail Term on 5 Nigerians Including Siblings

A U.S. court has sentenced five Nigerian citizens to a total of...

NUPRC Unveils Measures to Boost Oil Industry Transparency, Curb Theft

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has...