The controversy is yet to die down on #CallFirdaus. To be candid, it’s doubtful that any Twitter campaign is going to sway the Body of Benchers. In fact, considering that the legal profession cannot abide dissent about its decades-long rules and regulations, we’d go so far as to say, Firdaus will have to wait until next year to be called, if even then because that’s just how it goes.

“Islamophobe” | Muslims raise hell over hijab ban

The criteria for Call is so strict, if you miss any, O.Y.O is your case. For instance, miss any of your 3 dinners and say goodbye to becoming a lawyer; neglect to complete 70% lecture attendance & portfolio assessment and you might as well call it a day. All this is assuming you even pass your bar finals. Plus, they are big on bar aspirants being “fit and proper”.

[In case you missed it]: “The Thread: “They said ‘take off your hijab’. She said ‘Girls not hot’” | TwitterNG reacts to the Hijab outrage”

We’ve already established that Firdaus refusing to remove her hijab for her call was not the “proper” way to go about it. What else could she have done.

TwitterNG suggests a surefire way:

I think it’s a ridiculous rule to not be allowed to wear hijab for call to Bar. Makes no sense to me

I also think it’s ridiculous to go somewhere knowing their rules and regulations, break it, then say it’s unfair.

— Fatima (@Faty_Alfa) December 15, 2017

Nigeria can be an intolerant country, there are plenty ways she could have tried to solve the problem, signing petitions,social media campaign etc to get them to listen, but not throw away all your hard work to prove a point

— Fatima (@Faty_Alfa) December 15, 2017

Many of us youths don't understand lobbying.
We understand civil disobedience.
While civil disobedience may bring awareness to your cause, it doesn't always translate to change.

We need to learn to lobby

— Tolulọpẹ Aladire (@ToluBabyGirl) December 15, 2017

Imagine, if the Hijabis previously & presently affected by the Call to Bar rule had put themselves into a body, appealed to senior Hijabis and senior colleagues in the profession and made a case for wearing Hijab, this outcome may have been prevented.

But no, civil disobedience

— Tolulọpẹ Aladire (@ToluBabyGirl) December 15, 2017

If there are no laws, there are no consequences.
If there are laws and you don't like them get them changed via due process.

Sometimes, the price of civil disobedience is more than you can bear.

— Tolulọpẹ Aladire (@ToluBabyGirl) December 15, 2017

It's ridiculous for anyone to suggest that one single exception be made. She is not more pious than anyone else who removed the hijab for three hours. Work to change the regulation for everyone.

— The Runner (@je_mc2) December 15, 2017

To change that regulation about dress code, the people to convince are the Body of Benchers, not your Twitter follower next door.

— The Runner (@je_mc2) December 15, 2017

Lobby the Body of Benchers and the CLE directly. Forget Twitter arguments. We will move on to the next thing by tomorrow morning.

— The Runner (@je_mc2) December 15, 2017

Gbam!