National
Mixed Reactions Greet NBA’s Snub Of El-Rufai
By Ayodele Oluwafemi
Mixed reactions have followed the decision of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to withdraw the invitation given to Governor Nasir El-Rufai to be a key speaker at the forthcoming annual general conference of the lawyers’ body.
On Thursday, NBA withdrew El-Rufai’s invitation after more than 3,000 lawyers signed a petition demanding the withdrawal of the invitation on the basis of alleged abuses of human rights and the governor’s alleged stance on the killings in Southern Kaduna.
Reacting, the governor, in a statement, said the NBA decided to endorse a one-sided narrative about the Southern Kaduna killings, saying the decision will not stop him from participating in national conversations.
The NBA’s decision to withdraw El-Rufai invitation has been followed with commendations and condemnations.
Some lawyers and non-lawyers have taken to the social media to applaud the decision of the NBA, arguing that they cannot share the same platform with El-Rufai.
@MrOdanz tweeted: “The decision of the NBA yesterday is very symbolic, it goes to say that our voices matter when we want it to matter. If lawyers had allowed that travesty of an El-rufai invite stand, we will soon have Oshiomhole and Tinubu being invited to give speeches on the evils of godfatherism.”
@Oluwaloninyo tweeted: “Not all Protests have to be on the streets. I am extremely proud of Lawyers, who allowed their opinions be known online and withdrew attendance at the NBA conference. Nigeria heard you! #Lifefull.”
However, some Nigerians have argued that the withdrawal of El-Rufai’s invitation is unfair and partial, citing the presence of Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike as one of the speakers of the conference.
They opined that Wike also perpetuated human rights abuses.
@olayemi_123 tweeted: “So Gov Wike is one of the keynote speakers yet it’s El Rufai they protested against? Governor Wike can speak at NBA conference but Governor El Rufai can’t. The actions of the NBA is not only ill advised, but condemnable. Bloody hypocrites everywhere! ?”
baba_hakeem tweeted: “Decision of NBA to withdraw invitation to Gov el-Rufai to speak at its Convention is a disservice to an org that should champion fair hearing, free speech and tolerance. It deprives lawyers opportunity to interrogate a colleague in the eye of a storm, and has set a bad precedent.”
GWG gathered the following tweets:
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