Ezekwesili pulls out of NBA conference in Sokoto over killing of student

Former education minister Oby Ezekwesili has withdrawn from participating at the conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) scheduled to hold in Sokoto.

Mrs Ezekwesili announced her withdrawal on Friday via Twitter, saying she would be boycotting the event in protest against the killing of a student Deborah Samuel in Sokoto for alleged blasphemy.

The annual NBA conference is scheduled to hold from Sunday, May 22 to Thursday, May 26, 2022.

“I have decided to withdraw my Speaking commitment to @NigBarAssoc for its event holding in Sokoto. I was billed to speak from abroad via Zoom but even now will no longer do so,” the former presidential aspirant noted.

Ezekwesili, who was billed to speak during a session on ‘democratic evolution and nation building, urged the NBA to use the moment to reflect on “how relevant its actions are in a troubled democracy.”

The former World Bank executive added, “I shall no longer participate. NBA owes citizens like #DeborahSamuel #EuniceOlawale #BridgetAgbaheme the judicial activism to enforce Justice.”

I have decided to withdraw my Speaking commitment to @NigBarAssoc for its event holding in Sokoto.

I was billed to speak from abroad via Zoom but even now will no longer do so.

NBA should seize this moment to reflect on how relevant its actions are in a troubled democracy.✍🏾

— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) May 13, 2022

This would have been my session at the @NigBarAssoc conference in Sokoto:

I shall no longer participate. NBA owes citizens like #DeborahSamuel #EuniceOlawale #BridgetAgbaheme the judicial activism to enforce Justice.

It is not late. Start now @OlumideAkpata . Thank you.✍🏾 pic.twitter.com/IiseKf3uzp

— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) May 13, 2022

Those scheduled to speak in the session alongside Ezekwesili are INEC chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Rivers State Governor and presidential aspirant Nyesom Wike among others.

Earlier, rights lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa called on the NBA to cancel the conference over the killing of Samuel.