El-Rufai Breaks Silence On Withdrawal Of Invitation To Speak At NBA Conference

Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, has said he does not need the platform of the Nigerian Bar Association to make his voice heard and express his position on topical issues in the country and in Kaduna state.

The governor said this in reaction to the withdrawal of the invitation given to him to speak at the NBA conference by the association’s hierarchy.

The withdrawal of the invitation is sequel to outrage by some lawyers who averred that the invitation is a reinforcement of misrule, adding that the governor disposition runs counter to what the association stands for.

But In a statement by his spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, on Thursday el-Rufai described NBA action as “unfortunate embrace of injustice”.

“While the decision about who speaks at its event is clearly the NBA’s, Malam El-Rufai wishes to make clear that he did not seek the platform and is not agitated that he has one less speaking engagement,” the statement read.

“However, the circumstances of the last few days warrant some comments. That a professional organisation has elected to endorse a one-sided narrative on a profound national issue is something that its members may wish to reflect upon.

“For an association, whose bread and butter is about justice, to make a ruling based on the stridency of people who lampoon judicial processes against certain individuals without hearing the other side is odd. It bears noting that in its response to pressure, the NBA leadership has signalled an unfortunate embrace of injustice, unfairness, absence of fair hearing and total disregard for the rule of law.”

Also Read: ‘He Has No Regard For Rule Of Law’ – Lawyers Reject El-Rufai As Speaker At NBA conference

The governor also said he would respond appropriately to the alleged defamation in the petition filed against him.

But el-Rufai said his government has taken several actions to address the legacy of violent strife in the state.

“He is the governor that made permanent military and police bases a reality in southern Kaduna, after close to 40 years of waiting. He is the governor that set up a Peace Commission to nudge communities to embrace their responsibility to live in peace and harmony,” the statement read.

“He has done this with equality of concern for all residents, not just those with access to the media and who are able to mobilise sentiment even when they are part of the problem. His investments in building a constituency for peace, anchored on the rule of law, respect for the citizenship rights of everyone and an embrace of the obligations of a common humanity will continue.”

Adeleke added that the governor remains focused on the “tough and hard work of stopping the bleeding in the state”.