Oby Ezekwesili Cancels Her Speaking Engagement At NBA Sokoto Conference Over Deborah’s Killing
The Oasis Reporters
May 14, 2022
Nigeria’s former minister of education, Oby Ezekwesili who is also the convener of #Fixpolitics has pulled out of her speaking engagement at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Sokoto, north west Nigeria.
The city itself holds the palace of the Sultanate council that is the main authority of much of traditional cum religious leadership of northern Nigeria.
On Thursday, the Shehu Shagari College of Education became the focus of attention in Nigeria and the world as co students executed their colleague, Christian girl, Deborah Samuel Yakubu over alleged blasphemous statements and her corpse set ablaze, that was seen in video recordings on social media.
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
The governor of the state, Aminu Tambuwal who is a contestant in People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary election has condemned the extrajudicial mob action that occurred in the College.
Aminu Tambuwal himself is also a lawyer and former teacher and the killing incident is believed to have saddened him.
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
The Sultan of Sokoto is also believed to have issued a strongly worded statement through one of the palace aides over the issue.
Currently, many Christian residents of the city are holding their heart (literally speaking) fearfully in their hands, afraid of what possible outcome the killing may engender.
Northern Nigeria has been in the spotlight for flashes of violence that has seen the worst forms of banditry, kidnappings for ransoms, massacres and other vices.
Oby Ezekwesili herself was a Bring Back Our Girls, #BBOG leading campaigner on the back of the kidnap of over 200 school girls from their science college in the largely Christian minority town of Chibok, Southern Bornu, North East Nigeria. Many of the girls have yet to emerge from the woods, held there in forest conditions by Boko Haram islamist militants.
Such incidents puts fear in people and discourages investments as business thrives less in atmospheres of Insecurity.
