El-Rufai, NBA Decision And The Backlash

By Fola Aiyegbusi

SIR: I have been a keen observer of events in the Nigerian Bar Association since 1978, under the presidency of Chief B.O. Benson. The Nigerian Bar Association has contributed immensely to political development of contemporary Nigeria more than any other professional body in this country. The closest to it in my opinion is the Nigerian Medical Association of the Beko Ransome-Kuti years. All through the tenure of past NBA presidents, the presidency of late Mr Alao Aka-Bashorun in 1987-89 was remarkably special and widely acclaimed for its human and democratic rights campaign. He was an activist even as president. His NBA leadership took on the military administration of General Babangida on all known infractions. The NBA became the voice of the common man under him. Aka-Bashorun had good companies in late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Olisa Agbakoba, Femi Falana and other courageous colleagues who fought the government to standstill on all issues ranging from increase in fuel pump prices to labour issues. It was like the NBA and NLC were Siamese twins.

This is in no way a prejudice or disrespect to the tenures of Fadairo, Prince Bola Ajibola, all through to Ebele Nwokoye before Aka-Bashorun. But the tenure of Aka-Bashorun was distinctly different. Maybe because he was Fela’s friend and lawyer, his life was dedicated to the common man just like Fela’s. Therefore, the interest in NBA issues grew beyond lawyers who are technically the only qualified members of the Nigerian Bar Association.

In my humble opinion, the presidential tenures of Mrs Priscilla Kuye, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, Mr Olisa Agbakoba SAN and Mr Rotimi Akeredolu SAN also endeared the public to the NBA and its activities. As it stands today, the issues of the NBA is beyond the NBA, especially its elections, conduct and annual conferences. It will be foolhardy for the NBA not have seen that the association has been politicised as it stands today.

And one could ask why it should not, when it is its members that are the dramatis personas in the current Nigerian political space. So if, or when the current political dispensation collapses, God forbid, the NBA should be partly held responsible. Suffice to say that the association should also be duly credited too if the political dispensation succeeds and flourishes.

Now to the issue of the annual conference invitation extended to politically exposed persons. The NBA to me is right in the first instance to have invited Governor Nasir El-Rufai to deliver a key note address at its annual conference. Almost all professional bodies do equally invite the governors of the state where their annual conferences are scheduled to hold. It is a honour done in good faith in regards to due protocols. Whatever qualifications required for other invited speakers are exclusive to the NBA. I am therefore shocked that the NBA did not envisage the backlash its decision to withdraw the invitation given to Governor El-Rufai has generated within the association. Any close watcher of events around Nigeria’s political sphere in the last decade of our democracy should expect this reaction. And the big questions are, whether NBA was right in its action to withdraw the invitation based on a petition against the invitation?

Is a person not presumed innocent until found guilty again? If the petitioners against his invitation claimed that El-Rufai has violated human rights, has he been convicted yet? Are the petitioners themselves not acting based on “ethno-tribal-political- religious bigotries”?

Are some of them not apologists of a particular opposition party and former political office holders in the previous administration?

Are their intentions genuine in restoring piece to Southern Kaduna if that were to be the main reason for the petition?

I have read the reaction of the NBA president in the media and I sympathise with the innocent man while I am shocked and surprised that he didn’t expect what he got as backlash. The association stirred the hornets’ nest with the invitation and much more with the withdrawal. I am not a lawyer, but the petition against the invitation should have been thrown out in my opinion. This would have saved the association the unnecessary distraction it had found itself. I am still at cross roads that the NBA as an association does not know it is a MINI NIGERIA, where every issue under the sun is now seen from ethno-tribal-religious and political “eyes”

Fola Aiyegbusi[email protected].

Related Articles

92 COMMENTS

  1. I read this article fully regarding the resemblance
    of hottest and previous technologies, it’s remarkable article.

    Check out my web blog – Heather

  2. Hi there to every one, the contents present at this web page are actually remarkable for people knowledge, well, keep up the
    nice work fellows.

    My blog discuss

  3. Aw, this was an extremely good post. Taking the time and actual effort to produce a great article… but what
    can I say… I hesitate a lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.

    Also visit my web blog menwiki.men

  4. I was curious if you ever considered changing the page layout
    of your website? Its very well written; I love
    what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could
    connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two pictures.
    Maybe you could space it out better?

    Visit my blog post http://klauskateisto.lt/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=taxitanker8

  5. Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.

    I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more
    of your useful information. Thanks for the post.
    I will definitely comeback.

    my web blog … stanley1jackson.page.tl

  6. Thank you for every other informative blog. Where else may just I am getting that type of info
    written in such an ideal way? I’ve a project that I am just now operating
    on, and I have been at the look out for such information.

    My site; imoodle.win

  7. I feel this is one of the most significant info for me.
    And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna statement on few common things, The
    web site style is great, the articles is actually nice : D.
    Excellent task, cheers

    Feel free to visit my website – Personal

  8. We are a gaggle of volunteers and opening a brand new
    scheme in our community. Your site offered us with valuable info to
    work on. You have performed a formidable job and our entire community will probably be thankful to you.

    Feel free to surf to my website :: discuss

  9. I was suggested this blog via my cousin. I am no longer
    positive whether this put up is written via him as no one else know such detailed about
    my trouble. You are wonderful! Thank you!

    my webpage qm3699.com

  10. I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and without a
    doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that too few people are speaking
    intelligently about. I am very happy I came across this in my hunt for something concerning
    this.

    My page imoodle.win

  11. Howdy! This post could not be written any better!

    Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!
    He constantly kept talking about this. I am going to forward this article to
    him. Fairly certain he will have a good read.

    I appreciate you for sharing!

    My site … http://www.lin8888.com

  12. An intriguing discussion is worth comment.
    I do think that you need to publish more on this issue, it
    may not be a taboo matter but usually people don’t
    speak about these subjects. To the next! Kind regards!!

    Feel free to visit my blog post: 3ramh.com

  13. Valuable info. Lucky me I found your web site by chance, and I’m
    stunned why this twist of fate did not took place in advance!
    I bookmarked it.

    Feel free to visit my web blog vimeo.com

  14. I’ve been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this
    sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this website.
    Reading this info So i am glad to convey that I have an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed.
    I such a lot indisputably will make sure to don?t put out of your mind this website and give it a
    glance on a continuing basis.

    Here is my blog post … carpgallon5.jigsy.com

  15. I do not know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else encountering issues with
    your blog. It looks like some of the written text on your posts are
    running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if
    this is happening to them as well? This may
    be a issue with my browser because I’ve had this happen previously.

    Thanks

    Look into my web blog: http://www.authorstream.com/hellereskildsen59/

  16. Good day! I know this is kind of off topic but
    I was wondering which blog platform are you using
    for this site? I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve
    had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform.
    I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

    my web page – notes.io

  17. I feel this is one of the so much significant information for me.
    And i am glad studying your article. But wanna remark on some basic things, The
    site taste is perfect, the articles is in reality
    nice : D. Good job, cheers

    Review my blog post: borsafix.com

  18. Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s
    on a totally different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Great choice of colors!

    my web site … wikidot.win

  19. I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
    Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it
    for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to
    find out where u got this from. cheers

    Feel free to surf to my web page – https://wxgcs.cn/space-uid-16800.html

  20. Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem together with your web
    site in internet explorer, might test this? IE still is the market chief and
    a good section of folks will miss your great writing due to this problem.

    My web blog Spider-Man suits

  21. Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say,
    I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new
    to everything. Do you have any recommendations for inexperienced blog writers?
    I’d definitely appreciate it.

    Feel free to visit my web site … https://outgoingincome.com/forums/users/bettyskate7/

  22. Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your content
    seem to be running off the screen in Ie. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet
    browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know.
    The layout look great though! Hope you get the issue solved soon. Kudos

    Feel free to visit my web site: alra7al.net

  23. Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if
    you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my
    comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

    Here is my blog post … https://dribbble.com/angermusic1

  24. Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers?

    I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?

    Also visit my site – spinalhub.win

  25. Link exchange is nothing else but it is
    only placing the other person’s website link on your page at proper place and
    other person will also do same in favor of you.

    Also visit my blog: twitter.com

  26. It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the longer term and it is time
    to be happy. I’ve read this publish and if I may just I desire
    to recommend you few attention-grabbing issues or suggestions.
    Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article.

    I wish to read even more issues about it!

    Here is my web-site 80.82.64.206

  27. I am extremely inspired with your writing abilities and also with the structure on your blog.
    Is that this a paid subject or did you modify it your
    self? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare
    to see a great blog like this one these days..

    my web blog … driverpoisk.ru

  28. I’ve been surfing online more than three hours nowadays, but I by
    no means found any attention-grabbing article like yours.

    It is pretty price enough for me. In my opinion, if all web owners and bloggers made good content
    as you probably did, the net will probably be much more
    useful than ever before.

    Look at my page: http://taotu.xyz/home.php?mod=space&uid=106355

  29. Hello there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my
    myspace group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your
    content. Please let me know. Many thanks

    Here is my website: firsturl.de

  30. Wonderful blog you have here but I was curious about if you knew of
    any community forums that cover the same topics discussed here?
    I’d really love to be a part of community where I can get
    opinions from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest.
    If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Bless you!

    Also visit my site … http://www.chubbychannel.com

  31. First of all I want to say awesome blog! I had a quick question in which I’d
    like to ask if you don’t mind. I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your thoughts prior to
    writing. I have had difficulty clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out there.
    I do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are lost simply
    just trying to figure out how to begin. Any recommendations or tips?
    Appreciate it!

    Review my homepage; fontsteven6.bravejournal.net

  32. Hi there, I found your site via Google even as searching for a
    similar matter, your site got here up, it appears
    great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hi there, simply was aware of your blog via Google, and found that it’s really informative.
    I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful should you continue this in future.
    Numerous people will likely be benefited out of your writing.
    Cheers!

    My webpage :: http://www.synthedit.com/qa/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=epoxyhill7

  33. hello there and thank you for your info –
    I have certainly picked up something new from right here.
    I did however expertise several technical issues using this site, as I experienced to reload the web site lots of times previous
    to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if
    your web host is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and could damage your high-quality score if advertising
    and marketing with Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my email and could look out for much more of your respective interesting content.
    Make sure you update this again soon.

    my webpage biosnab.com

  34. Hi! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization?
    I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but
    I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share.
    Thank you!

    Feel free to surf to my web blog; Opal

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Stay Connected

1,167,000FansLike
34,567FollowersFollow
1,401,000FollowersFollow
0SubscribersSubscribe
- Advertisement -

Latest Articles