SAN FRANCISCO, July 06, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has expressed worry over the prevalence of hate speeches, growing agitation for the break-up of Nigeria, including the recent three-month notice by some northern youths for the Igbo to leave the North.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its President, Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud, the body of lawyers said the problems were contributing to the country’s slow economic development.
While condemning all threats to Nigeria’s sovereign existence and the peaceful co-existence of communities, it regretted that the ugly developments had been allowed to persist and were now creating fears in the citizenry, Sending Panic Signals to neighbouring countries and shaking the confidence of investors in the economy.
The NBA maintained that this threat to the confidence of investors in the country was contributing to the nation’s slow economic recovery.
The statement reads in part, “The Nigerian Bar Association is deeply concerned at the recent heightened agitation by individuals, groups and organisations calling for the violent break-up of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Some have advocated secession of certain parts from the country; others have called for some ethnicities to be excised and some others have even gone to the extent of issuing what they call ‘quit notice’ against some ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.
“These advocacies have been characterised by deeply hateful and hurtful speeches on all sides, incitement, tendentious and unguarded comments and warmongering, all designed to attack the resolve of the Nigerian people to live in peace, mutual respect and harmony.
“These acts of hate and incitement have been disseminated through print, electronic, digital and social media platforms.
“The Nigerian Bar Association rejects these tendencies unequivocally and condemns all such threats to the sovereign existence of Nigeria and the peaceful coexistence of our communities.
“The NBA is concerned, nevertheless, that these acts of hate speech, threatening secession, war and violent break-up of the country, have been allowed to persist to the point where they are now creating fear and anxiety amongst the people of Nigeria and sending panic signals to our neighbours and the international community.
“They have, in addition, shaken investors’ confidence in our country, contributing to slowing down economic and social activities.”
Mahmoud acknowledged that Nigeria was going through difficult economic times, which he said, were “a direct product of the failure of successive governments to diligently tackle the myriad challenges bedevilling our country.”
He however commended the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for the steps he has taken so far to douse tension in the country and restore public confidence.
The association urged government at all levels, to respect rule of law and enforce the laws of the country without fear, favour or discrimination, and promised to monitor and liaise with security agencies to ensure accountability for hate speech and incitement in the country.
On the eviction notice issued to the Igbo in the North, the NBA averred that all Nigerians had legal rights to live and to travel to and own or acquire property in any part of the country.
