The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has withdrawn its invitation to Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, to speak at its annual general meeting.
Some lawyers had kicked against the choice of the governor, saying he “represents the very anti-thesis of what we profess to defend.”
In a petition to Koyinsola Ajayi, chairman of the technical committee of the conference, some lawyers under the aegis of Open Bar Initiative described the invitation as a “reward for misrule.”
At a meeting on Thursday, the leadership of the association decided to cancel the invitation, saying el-Rufai should be informed immediately.
The NBA broke the news in a tweet on Thursday evening.
“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to the Kaduna State Governor, H.E. Nasir El-Rufai by the 2020 Annual General Conference Planning committee be withdrawn and decision communicated to the Governor,” the tweet read.
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to the Kaduna State Governor, H.E. Nasir El-Rufai by the 2020 Annual General Conference Planning committee be withdrawn and decision communicated to the Governor.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