Nigerian Lawyers ask NBA to withdraw El-Rufai’s invitation to NBA conference, threaten boycott

Nigerian Lawyers on social media have opposed the Nigerian Bar Association’s invitation of the Kaduna state Governor Nasir El Rufai as a Speaker at its 60th Annual General Conference

Governor El-Rufai is one of the speakers at the event scheduled for August 26 – 29, 2020 with the theme: ‘A United Nigeria The Myths and The Next Generation.’

The lawyers criticised NBA President Paul Usoro for El-Rufai’s invitation over the recent killings in Southern Kaduna, alleged disdain for court orders and the unrest in the state

According to reports, gunmen have killed at least 178 people in the past 7 months across southern Kaduna communities.

Expressing outrage on Twitter  with the hashtag #CancelElRufai2020, some lawyers said they have cancelled their attendance of the virtual conference, the first of its kind in the association’s history.

The Open Bar initiative, an advocacy group for lawyers, also wrote an official letter protesting the invitation, requesting the NBA to withdraw El-Rufai’s invitation

Some speakers at the event include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike; Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Tanko Mohammed.

Others include former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami; President of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), Brian Speers and Director of Training at the Judicial Institute for Africa; Hon Dame Linda, Dobbs.

Here are some of the reactions from Twitter 

I am struggling to understand what informed the choice of @elrufai, a serial rights violator & an enabler of violence in Southern Kaduna, by @NigBarAssoc whose slogan is "Promoting the Rule of Law to speak at the NBA 2020 AGC. #CancelElRufai2020

— Ikenna Ujah (@IykayUjah) August 18, 2020

The reasons for #CancelElRufai2020 are innumerable, & are public knowledge. For the sake of those who are feigning ignorance, let me list some:

Rather than tackle d insecurity in Kaduna, especially Southern Kaduna, @elrufai has resorted to cheap blackmail & divisive utterances.

— Jeff Okoroafor (@JeffOkoroafor) August 18, 2020

If you are a #NigerianLawyer & u believe @elrufai's credentials are #FitForPurpose say so

But If you don't think Gov @elrufai is a good advertisement for #PromotingRuleOfLaw, pls speak up & ask @NigBarAssoc to #CancelElRufai2020. Better still, u can de-register from #NBAAGC2020 pic.twitter.com/lyptNsUmeY

— Chidi Odinkalu (@ChidiOdinkalu) August 18, 2020