Islamic Bodies Clash Over NBA’s Snub Of El-Rufai

By Ayodele Oluwafemi

Two Islamic bodies, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as Shi’ites have clashed over the decision of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to withdraw its invitation to Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state as one of the speakers of its annual conference.

NBA, on Thursday, withdrew the invitation to El-Rufai as one of the speakers of its conference, following a petition drive by lawyers over perceived human rights indiscretions on the part of the governor and the killings in Southern Kaduna.

MURIC and IMN, in separate statements took opposing standpoints on the NBA decision. While the former condemned the decision, the latter was in full support.

MURIC argued that the NBA decision to withdraw El-Rufai invitation is “parochial, myopic and jejune”, stressing that the association has lost the opportunity to be part of the solution of the Southern Kaduna killings.

While IMN aka Shi’ites opined that El-Rufai is the “most unsuitable person” to address the association on any subject matter regarding the rule of law, citing the human rights abuses allegedly committed by the governor against its members.

MURIC also argued that the decision of the NBA was “ill-advised”, stressing that it exposes the “impatience, intolerance and self-conceit” of the NBA.

IMM was of the view that El-Rufai is an “agent of impunity and division who supports extra-judicial killings and building of mass graves”, claiming that such person should be allowed to associate with the legal profession.

MURIC said, “How justifiable is the NBA’s decision to exclude Governor El-Rufai from the virtual conference when people like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo of Odi and Zaki Biam fame and Governor Nyesom Wike are among the speakers?

“Who bulldozed the hotels of innocent people despite court orders? Who visited unspeakable violence on political opponents? Should NBA hobnob with people linked to genocide and undemocratic practices? So why demonise El-Rufai where killers of innocent people and enemies of democracy are idolised?

IMN, however, opined, “Although the Kaduna high courts have since discharged and acquitted all of them, Governor el-Rufai has continued to seek further ways to subjugate and persecute members and leadership of the Movement in contravention of his oath of office to ‘do right to all manners of people according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.

“Certainly, such a person must not be promoted or allowed to address an Association of learned men, whose motto is “Promoting the Rule of Law.” We therefore salute your unique courage to stand firmly on the path of what you profess to promote and stamp out – impunity and gross abuse of human rights in our beloved country, which loudly proclaims to operate under the rule of law.”

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