RULE OF LAW AND DEMOCRATIC EVOLUTION IN NIGERIA: THE BAR, THE BENCH, ACADEMIA, ACTIVISTS, OTHERS STORM SOKOTO FOR NBA-SPIDEL CONFERENCE

Sokoto state will be agog come Sunday 22nd – Thursday 26th May this year for the forthcoming Annual Conference of Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL).

Themed ‘Rule of Law and Democratic Evolution in Nigeria’, the conference will parade the who’s who in law, politics, human rights, etc. in Nigeria, Trek Africa Newspaper can reliably report.

While the Keynote Address with the theme ‘Rule of Law and Nigeria’s Democratic Experiences: The Way Forward’ will be delivered by renowned jurist and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Akin Oyebode; the opening ceremony ‘will witness addresses by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad; NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata; the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and the Chief Judge of Sokoto State, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, to name a few’, the Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL stated in the press briefing which held in Lagos yesterday.

The conference which will be declared open by the Sokoto State Governor, His Exellency Aminu Waziri Tambuwal at the Sokoto Conference Centre will also have many sub-themes to be dissected by an array of leading speakers. The sub-themes include ‘Democratic Evolution & Nation Building – The Past, Present & Future of Nigeria; The Rule of Law Index in the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria; Costs of Elections (Human & Financial Costs) – Counting the Costing & Applying the Values; Rule of Law, Security & Promotion of Democracy; Civilian vs Uniformed Citizens – Human Rights Non-Compliance & The Changing Rules of Engagement; Tackling Impunity, Electoral Offenders and Insecurity; Unity in Diversity: The Rule of Law as the Unifier; Partnership Forum: Everyone a Changemaker Movement; Role of Technology in Electoral Governance; Electoral Act 2022 and Electoral Justice; Political Parties & Internal Party Democracies – Challenges & Prospects; Rule of Law and Elections as it affects persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, and State Independent Electoral Commissions: Protectors or Destroyers of Democracy?’, Trek Africa Newspaper gathered.

Speakers confirmed for the event are Supreme Court jurist, Justice Inyang Okoro; Mr. Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner & Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee; Amnesty International Country Director, Ms. Osai Ojigho; former Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo SAN; National Chairman of ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu; Mr. Tony Nnadi, Secretary of Lower Niger Congress; Dr. Daniel Bwala, former Senior Special Assistant to the Senate President; and Prof. C. B. N. Ogbogbo, Director of Research at NARC.

Also expected in attendance are retired Assistant Inspector General of Police Olafimihan Adeoye; Prof. Yemisi Bamgbose SAN, Deputy Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan; Mr. Samson Itodo, Executive Director at Yiaga Africa; Mr. Hilary Ogbonna of National Human Rights Commission; Prof. Remi Ayede, Head of Political Science Department at the University of Ibadan; Chi Chikwendu, Partner at Riverbrooke Solicitors London, UK; Prof. Agbo Madaki and Dr. Lydia Umar, Executive Director, Gender Awareness Trust.

Special guests who will grace the conference include United Nations Deputy Secretary General; INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah; Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Founder, Fix Politics; Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba; Mr. Tony Ojukwu SAN, Executive Chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC); his predecessor in office, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu and several State Governors.

Fun events which will hold on the sidelines include a courtesy visit to the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar; welcome cocktail Party is hosted by the Chief Judge of Sokoto State; closing State Banquet to be hosted by the Sokoto State Government; sightseeing at BUA Cement factory, Argungun UNESCO site, Sokoto Race Course and the History Bureau/Museum; variety night and several luncheons secured by the Conference Planning Committee (CPC) ably led by three-time Lagos State Commissioner, Dr. Muiz Banire SAN.

Given previous editions held in Aba, Abia State and Ibadan, Oyo State, it was revealed to Trek Africa Newspaper that this year’s edition is primed to surpass previous experiences by miles.