The Nigerian Bar Association has withdrawn its invitation to Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to speak at its 2020 Annual General Conference.
The lawyers’ body disclosed this on its Twitter handle on Thursday following the furore generated by the invitation of the Governor.
It said El-Rufai had been notified of the development.
The NBA tweeted: “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to the Kaduna State Governor, H.E. Nasir El-Rufai by the 2020 Annual General Conference Planning committee be withdrawn and [the] decision communicated to the Governor.”
El-Rufai’s invitation to speak at the AGC had generated controversy, with a petition by a lawyer, Usani Odum, against the move, generating 3,150 votes as at August 20, 2020.
The petition said: “The senseless killings in southern Kaduna must stop. The political correctness of Governor El-Rufai on national TV is diversionary.
“It is a reversal to have him speak to lawyers on security when Governor (Babagana) Zulum of Borno a better person can do so.
“We may not be able to do anything to stop the killings, but we can stop the governor from speaking at the NBA-AGC to show our disapproval of the manner he has handled the situation!!”
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), had also called for the removal of El-Rufai from the list of speakers for the event.
His position was contained in a letter addressed to the Chairman, Technical Committee, Conference Planning Committee of the NBA, Konyinsola Ajayi.
Falana said El-Rufai cannot speak at the AGC based on the crisis in Southern Kaduna.
The AGC, with the theme: “Am I a Nigerian – A Debate on National Identity, the Indigeneship-Citizenship Conundrum,” will hold from August 24 to 26, 2020.
Among those scheduled to speak at the event are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN); former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; and a former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili.