By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The decision by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to withdraw its invitation to Governor Nasir El-rufai has been strongly rejected by the Jigawa branch of the law body.
The NBA in Dutse, Jigawa State said they would not participate in the Virtual Annual General Conference following the withdrawal of invitation to El- Rufai.
In a statement signed by the chairman of the NBA Dutse branch, Garba Abubakar, he said the reasons which the NBA cited in withdrawing the El-rufai invitation as a keynoter was frivolous.
He argued that the NBA was wrong in not giving Governor El-Rufai the opportunity of defending himself.
“A section of the country cannot therefore take us for a ride as we all have a fair understanding of the law.
“On the strength of this therefore, we call on the national body under President Paul Usoro (SAN) to reverse the decision with immediate effect else the Nigerian Bar Association Dutse branch will boycott the Virtual Annual General Conference taking place in a few days to come.”
The choice of El-rufai as a key speaker had divided the NBA with many lawyers expressing discontent over the decision of the leadership of the NBA to include Governor el-Rufai as a guest speaker in the conference.
The NBA then withdrew the invitation to El-Rufai to speak at the association’s annual general conference.
El-rufai has said that the decision to withdraw the invitation earlier sent to him was borne out of bias.