After El-Rufai, Nigerians call for Wike’s withdrawal from NBA conference

TRACKING ___Nigerians have called on the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to withdraw the Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, from speaking at the 2020 conference.

TrackNews Online had reported that the Nigerian Bar Association withdrew its invitation to Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, from speaking at the 60th annual conference.

NBA had on May 12, 2020, stated that it will hold its Annual General Conference (AGC) slated for August virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conference which is to commence from 26th through 29th August 2020, had speakers at the event to include the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike; Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Tanko Mohammed.

Other key speakers include former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai; 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.

But El-Rufai’s invitation was withdrawn following protests from some lawyers on social media.

Dear @NigBarAssoc, I just ran through the list of speakers in the forthcoming virtual conference and Gov. El-Rufai’s name is on the list. I’ll be withdrawing my attendance and cancelling my registration for the conference.

Thank you.

— Itong Washington (@itongwashington) August 17, 2020

However, after the announcement by the NBA on Thursday, August 20 on its Twitter handle, El-Rufai’s invitation was withdrawn.

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to the Kaduna State Governor, H.E. Nasir El-Rufai by the 2020 Annual General Conference Planning committee be withdrawn and decision communicated to the Governor.

— Nigerian Bar Association (@NigBarAssoc) August 20, 2020

Reacting to this withdrawal, some Nigerians called on the Association to also withdraw Gov Wike.

A tweet by Sir Ferdinand Rogers said, ”Nigeria Bar Association invited Nyesome Wike, who Cultist have overran his states, demolished 2 hotels and sold people’s cars bcus of Covid-19 and then withdraw D invitation of @elrufai because of Southern Kaduna Killings that started 1989. An organization that RIG their ELECTION.”

Nigeria Bar Association invited Nyesome Wike, who Cultist have overran his states, demolished 2 hotels and sold people’s cars bcus of Covid-19 and then withdraw D invitation of @elrufai because of Southern Kaduna Killings that started 1989. An organization that RIG their ELECTION

— Sir Ferdinand Rogers (@ayekhemheferdi1) August 20, 2020

Elrufai Withdrawn but Wike will speak. 😊😊🤡 https://t.co/Dt2wm5FU21

— Abu Rayyan (@Abdulrahmanleme) August 20, 2020

Reacting, Gov El-Rufai in a statement said he is not deterred with the withdrawal and will continue speaking on matters of national importance in all environment.