Many lawyers have opposed the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)’s decision to invite Kaduna state Governor Nasir El Rufai as a Speaker at its 60th Annual General Conference (AGC).
El-Rufai is one of the speakers at the event scheduled for August 26 – 29, 2020.
They have criticised NBA President Paul Usoro for El-Rufai’s invitation over the killings in Southern Kaduna, alleged disdain for court orders and other things happenings in the state.
According to reports, gunmen have killed at least 178 people in the past 7 months across southern Kaduna communities.
Sharing their anger via their Twitter accounts 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 conference is scheduled to hold between August 26 and 29, 2020 with the theme: ‘A United Nigeria The Myths and The Next Generation.’
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.
Accusing the Governor of rule of law violations, they formed a campaign with the hashtag #CancelElRufai2020.
See some reactions from Twitter below;
I join all well meaning Nigerian Lawyers to call on the @NigBarAssoc and Mr. Paul Usoro to immediately withdrawal @elrufai from the list of speakers at the forthcoming NBA Conference. By his antecedents, @elrufai has no business in a gathering such as this. pic.twitter.com/qQgKCsTYf1
— Ani Nnamdi Chris (@AniNnamdiChris2) August 18, 2020
The nomination of gov. Elrufai to address lawyers at the NBA conference is a mockery of the NBA & lawyers is general. How can we sanitize the judiciary with such acts? A kingpin in the abuse & disregard of the rule of law to address lawyers? I will not be attending the NBA Conf😏
— BKNY (Buka) (@Buka_Inc) August 18, 2020
If El-Rufai isn’t Removed as Speaker in the Forthcoming NBA Conference I’ll Withdraw my attendance and cancel my Registration.
NBA SHOULD NEVER BE SEEN AS ENABLERS OF INSECURITIES IN SOUTHERN KADUNA.
✊🏻 pic.twitter.com/0XLtCrjwWx— Valerian Nwadike (@valerian247) August 18, 2020
I am super proud of this awakened Bar. This is the NBA of our dream. Thanks to all those boycotting the Conference. The Bar is for wine and drinks, not for flesh and bloodthirsty fellows.
— M. M. Obono (@martobono) August 18, 2020
If El’rufai is not dropped as a speaker in the 2020 NBA Annual General Conference, lawyers are called upon to boycott the virtual conference totally!@ChidiOdinkalu @ByAtsen @TOlufon @LeadershipNGA @sjonu @PremiumTimesng @StateDept
— Open Bar Initiative (@BarInitiative) August 18, 2020
Olumide Akpata is the president elect of the Nigerian Bar Association but Paul Usoro is still our President.
So it is Usoro that should be held responsible for inviting a divisive character like El-rufai to speak at the upcoming virtual NBA conference.
— Malachy Odo II (@MalachyOdo1) August 18, 2020
I boycottted the NBA Lagos’ last law dinner because the VP was the keynote speaker . I had bought the ticket before I realized.
It will be weird listening to the VP of a lawless administration speak to a gathering of lawyers
It wouldn’t be difficult boycotting NBA Conference
— NN (@NadisNwodo) August 18, 2020
NBA Conference 2020:
No to Hell-Rufai
No to Hell-Rufai
No to Hell-Rufai
No to Hell-Rufai
No to Hell-Rufai
No to Hell-Rufai
No to Hell-Rufai
No to Hell-Rufai
No to Hell-Rufai
No to Hell-Rufai
No to Hell-Rufai
No to Hell-Rufai
No to Hell-Rufai
No to Hell-Rufai#NoToElRufai— 唐卡卡辛, QBE (@dedonnse) August 18, 2020
For Paul Usoro to have invited El Rufai to NBA’s Conference, it means he’s been part of the problem
How can one begin to put it all together? Was Paul Usoro living in virtual reality?
Olumide Akpata have a lot of work to do at rebuilding PUBLIC TRUST & the REPUTATION of the NBA
— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) August 18, 2020
The NBA Conference has turned into a money making & client appeasing venture.AB Mahmoud is Dangote’s lawyer & he invited Dangote’s daughter of all people to come & speak..Wike was going to sponsor this year’s before it became online. Now they are inviting El Rufai.Shameless lot.
— Umar Sa’ad Hassan🇳🇬 (@Alaye_100) August 18, 2020
Is it proper for the Paul Usoro-led .@NigBarAssoc to allow those associated with disobedience of court orders to address her conference: VP Yemi Osibanjo, AGF Malami, Gov El-Rufai of Kaduna …?
The NBA should be a symbol of rule of law.
— friarsomadina (@friarsomadina) August 18, 2020
Gov. Nasir El-Rufai has no business addressing lawyers at the NBA Conference.
As lawyers, it is our duty to uphold the Rule of Law. Courts of Law have held that his govt has illegally arrested and incarcerated people.I hereby withdraw my attendance from the Conference!
— The Pastor Proff (@ESA_Olatunde) August 18, 2020
The President of the @NigBarAssoc and the Conference Planning Coonmittee should not be tone deaf. The NBA-ABC is a gathering of lawyers for lawyers. If Nigerian lawyers say they do not want Governor @elrufai at their Conference then the organisers should #CancelElRufai2020 https://t.co/xUuSQ6oidl
— O.A.U. (@OrjiUka) 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
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
There has been constant killing of people of Southern Kaduna, and Mr @elrufai has refused to bring the killers to justice.
His divisive utterances and cheap blackmail in itself, should attract condemnation from the @NigBarAssoc.#RedefineNigeria #CancelElRufai2020
— Jeff Okoroafor (@JeffOkoroafor) August 18, 2020
