El-Rufai hosts NBA leadership — months after conference invitation controversy

Olumide Akpata, president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), led his team on a visit to Nasir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, on Tuesday.

The office of the governor announced on Twitter that the NBA team was hosted at the Kaduna government house.

“Malam Nasir @elrufai has welcomed Olumide Akpata, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and his team to Sir Kashim Ibrahim House,” the tweet read. 

Malam Nasir @elrufai has welcomed Olumide Akpata, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and his team to Sir Kashim Ibrahim House. pic.twitter.com/VtBJHefk5S

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— Governor of Kaduna (@GovKaduna) March 23, 2021

The visit comes months after the NBA had withdrawn its invitation to the governor to speak at its annual general conference.

The invitation was withdrawn following an outcry by some lawyers who said the governor stands against what the profession represents. 

“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to the Kaduna State Governor, H.E. Nasir El-Rufai by the 2020 Annual General Conference Planning committee be withdrawn and decision communicated to the Governor,” the NBA had written. 

The governor had reacted by saying that despite the withdrawal, he will continue to make his voice heard on how the country can move forward.

He had also described the development as a “disregard for the rule of law”.

“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,” Muyiwa Adekeye, the governor’s spokesperson, had said.

But with the visit of the NBA leadership to the governor, it appears the controversy is now water under the bridge.

Some Nigerians on social media have reacted with varying points of view.

Here are some of the reactions. 

The same @NigBarAssoc that withdrew the invitation extended to el Rufai during the NBA Conf. has crawled to visit him. https://t.co/NK1QrOXb3c

— RSK (@Ogamode_Yeche) March 23, 2021

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Reconciliation! https://t.co/EAr4MlQDFT

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— M. J a m e e e l ™ (@mjameeel) March 23, 2021

Thought they withdrew their invitation for him to speak at their conference, yet here they are. 😂

🤡 https://t.co/ccoI1H5QPI

— ♛Joshua Mimam Sampson♛ (@MrJoshuaSampson) March 23, 2021

🤣🤣🤣🤣NBA a professional organization is now the enemy of Elrufai.That he was deemed not to have/demonstrate the qualities to address the bar doesn't mean they can't visit him as governor of a state.

— Edidem (@ubedison) March 23, 2021

Akpata can visit KSG all he wants.

At the material time El-rufai was disinvited it was necessary given the circumstance.

It was an outcry against El- rufai's leadership disposition at the time which was averse to d tenets of rule if law – the beacon of NBA.

— VEEJAY ANAYOCHUKWU ERNEST⚖ (@Ennexlaw) March 23, 2021