Of NBA Uproar And The Need For El-Rufai To Change His Way -By Reginald Tobin

Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai was among the few invited to speak at the upcoming annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) which will kick off on August 26, 2020. However, El-Rufai’s invitation raised an uproar from members of the NBA, Nigerians and human right groups like the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) who faulted the invitation of the Kaduna State governor as a guest speaker at the conference. 

The massive rejection which graced the governors invitation did not come as a surprise to so many, owning to the fact that the governor could not have been been fit to speak at such conference, especially one which is organized by the umbrella professional association of legal practitioners in Nigeria. 

But, Out of all the speakers invited to speak at the annual conference of the NBA, why was El-Rufai the only misfit? Why was his rejection so loud that the NBA was left with no other choice but to withdraw his invitation from speaking at the conference as scheduled? Well, countless accusations must have been a reason for El-Rufai’s knockback. 

The Kaduna State governor, has had so many controversies tied around his neck in recent time. Human right lawyer, Femi Falana, who spoke against El-Rufai’s invitation said that the governor lacks the moral right to speak at the conference, Falana also noted that El-Rufai has been known for flouting court orders, so how can a man of such character be a speaker at a conference which promotes the rule of law.

No doubt, El-Rufai is known for his misguided utterances which has been an issues of concern, some of his misguided statements were noted during the recent killing in Southern Kaduna, in 2019, El-Rufai was also heard on National television, threatening foreigners concerning the election, stating that they will leave in “body bags” how can that same El-Rufai speak at a conference such as NBA, These were some of the reasons those who frowned at El-Rufai’s invitation to the conference highlighted.

However, Due to continuous agitations against El-rufai’s invitation, the NBA in a written statement on 21st August 2020, voided the invitation of the Kaduna State governor to speak at its conference. In all these, a very great lesson has been taught and it is pertinent for El-Rufai and others to learn from it.

The open dissatisfaction expressed by Nigerians, lawyers and human right bodies on social media towards El-Rufai’s invitation, is an indication that the governor needs to change his way. if El-Rufai has been a good ambassador of his own brand, no one would have called for his disinvitation from speaking at the conference. El-Rufai’s imbroglio is one which should teach him and other political leaders, that the voice of the people is supreme and there is a need to be guided while speaking on issues of general concern to the public through any platform. 

There is also a need to treat the people with decency and utmost respect when dealing with them on any issue. 

As For El-Rufai, I really doubt if he ever saw this day coming, a day where his words and actions will be used against him by the populace. Take it or leave, El-Rufai’s invitation withdrawal by the NBA is an abash which him and Nigerians will not forget in a hurry. 
I think the Kaduna State governor has been made to know his place in the mind of the populace, it has also been revealed to him that he is not in the good book of so many Nigerians. I also think El-Rufai must have learnt some bitter lessons from this saga which may force him to change his way or still decide to continue on the same part which has resulted to his rejection.

The ball is in his court.

Tobin writes from Port Harcourt.