Conference Controversy: You Didn’t Handle El-Rufai’s Issue Well, Ex-minister Tells NBA

A former Minister of Women Affairs, Salamatu Suleiman Hussaini, said on Thursday that the Nigerian Bar Association did not handle the case involving the invitation of the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, to its 60th National Conference well.

Hussaini is one of the panelists at the ongoing conference.

She stated that the NBA ought to have accommodated all views before taking the decision to withdraw the invitation it earlier sent to el-Rufai to speak at the conference.

The NBA had withdrawn the governor’s invitation after some lawyers petitioned the association over the crisis in Southern Kaduna, threatening to boycott the conference if el-Rufai would attend.

The association later stated that it acted in the interest of its members, denying that it succumbed to ethno-religious sentiments.

“NEC merely made a judgment that it was not in the best interest of the Association to be engulfed in the controversy that trailed the invitation of Mallam El-Rufai for the Conference and that it was best if the safety-valve of dis-inviting the Governor was applied,” NBA President, Paul Usoro, had said.

Hussaini, while speaking after other panelists like the former Governor of Anambra, Peter Obi, maintained that the NBA did not do well by taking a decision on the issue without being fair to all sides.

She argued that the NBA leadership breached due process.

“Having said this, I must also express my deep disappointment on the way the NBA handled issues leading to this conference, which did not adhere to our quest for rule of law and due process.

“I think as a leader in the society, setting standards and examples, stepping forward, we should do better and we should lead by example.

“We should in no circumstance, refuse to listen to others and even disenfranchise members of our association because we think they are going to take a contrary view,” she said.

However, she lauded the NBA for the theme of the conference, adding that it afforded stakeholders the opportunity to brainstorm on the way forward for both the legal profession and the country at large.

“Let me start by congratulating the NBA for the very though-provoking theme of this year’s conference, ‘Step Forward’.

“I think it has been aptly coined to stir national consciousness and stimulate discussions on how to move our country forward despite all challenges, particularly the current pandemic, the health and other insecurities, plus economic recession.

“Lawyers by training have always been taught to multi-task and approach issues from different perspectives, therefore there is no better body than the NBA,” she said.

Discussing the topic ” Who is a Nigerian?”, Hussaini maintained that a true citizen of the country would make the well-being of it his or her major priority for living.

“At this time, step forward, take a lead, act as agent of change as we aspire to change the narration of our great country to become a leading nation in all ramifications, not only on the African continent but globally.

“I think an ideal Nigerian should be a committed loyal citizen who is guaranteed certain basic amenities in his country and in return faithfully serves his country , always putting national interest before personal interest, being his brother’s keeper and constantly striving to advance the course of Nigeria,” she stated.

On the opening day, Usoro had urged all legal practitioners to unite and move the association forward.