The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on
Nigerians to isolate and shame individuals, groups
and organisations calling for the violent breakup of the
country.

The NBA described the quit notice issued in the north
as misguided while noting that every Nigerian can
choose to live in any part of the country.

In a statement signed by the association’s president,
Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), the NBA said Nigerians
have over time proven to be committed to remaining
as one entity.

The NBA said it will liaise with security agencies to
bring to book the perpetrators of hate speech,
stressing that “the constitutional right to free speech
does not extend to or protect hate speech”.

“The NBA reaffirms its belief in unity and sovereignty of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We believe that the
peoples of Nigeria, irrespective of diversities of identity,
face common and shared everyday challenges and
desire a stable and secure country based on justice,
equity and the rule of law,” the statement read.

“The NBA is convinced that our various peoples have
consistently shown the capacity and desire to live
together in a federation under democratically elected
government, which alone can guarantee the conditions
for addressing the imperfections that ail our country.

“The NBA is convinced that our people are better off in
a united Nigeria run and managed in accordance with
the principles of justice, equity and the rule of law, and
capable of harnessing our diversities in a manner that
strengthens our historic bonds of coexistence. Any
advocacy for violent breakup of the country is
misguided.

“The NBA uncompromisingly affirms that all citizens of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria have the constitutional
and legal right to live, travel to and own or acquire
movable or immovable property in any part of the
federation.

“No individual, group or organisation under any guise
can lawfully issue any form of notice to Nigerians with
the goal of diminishing the enjoyment of these rights.

“The NBA reaffirms that Nigerian citizens everywhere
have a constitutional right to free expression and to
robustly debate issues affecting our country. It is
however clear that the constitutional right to free
speech does not extend to or protect hate speech. The
NBA commits to working with the appropriate security
agencies to ensure accountability for such acts.

“Accordingly, I have today directed the Section on
Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) and
the Human Rights Institute of the NBA (NBA-HRH to
collaborate with the National Secretariat of the NBA in
a unit to monitor and liaise with security agencies to
ensure accountability for hate speech and incitement
to identity-based hatred in Nigeria.

“The NBA appeals to media houses, publishers,
broadcasters, opinion leaders, politicians, faith and
community leaders, intellectuals, social media
influencers and on air personalities (GAPS) to exercise
responsibility and utmost professionalism in the
content they publish or distribute through their
platforms.

“The NBA urges Nigerians to unite in isolating and
shaming opportunists that have decided to put the co
existence and well being of our people at risk for their
narrow ends. Such a step will further affirm the resolve
of the Nigerian people to live in peace and harmony
under a democracy founded on justice, equity and rule
of law.”

TheCable