The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has protested President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by moving its 2025 Annual General Conference to Enugu State.
The National Assembly’s move, the declaration of a state of emergency, and the appointment of a solitary administrator were reportedly declared unlawful by the NBA.
The 2025 Annual General Conference meeting being held in Port Harcourt would be an affirmation of the illegalities in Rivers State, according to a statement released by NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) on Thursday.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), the only administrator of Rivers State, was also accused by the NBA of disobeying court orders.
The announcement that our Association’s 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) will be held in the Garden City of Port Harcourt was greeted with great excitement, according to the text. In fact, registration numbers had skyrocketed before Rivers State declared a state of emergency on March 18, 2025, indicating how eager and excited members were to turn up. But naturally, the unfavorable development in Rivers State has slowed down the pace and impacted the Conference’s forward planning.
A retired military commander appointed as a Sole Administrator currently rules Rivers State with a command-style strategy that ignores court rulings, ongoing litigation, and constitutional requirements. His acts have disregarded the rule of law with impunity and weakened democratic institutions and procedures. He rules as if the state is ruled by the military, notwithstanding his civilian clothes.
Read Also: He Only Stood in Front of Hope: A Call for Justice for Alabi Quadri
“Our members’ views, especially those advocating for a venue shift, became more and more powerful over time. The National Executive Council (NEC) met in emergency session on March 27, 2025, and we met with the chairmen of the NBA branches in Rivers State. There was broad agreement that the NBA could not ethically move forward with the AGC in an unlawful status with a sole administrator.
The state of emergency imposed in Rivers State is in violation of Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, the NEC reiterated. It added that Sections 11 and 188 of the Constitution are violated when democratic institutions and elected officials are suspended. The National Assembly’s alleged ratification, which was carried out by voice vote instead of the two-thirds majority necessary by the constitution, is a serious constitutional transgression. Following the correct process wouldn’t make an unconstitutional declaration legitimate.
In light of these undemocratic events, Port Harcourt is no longer a suitable location for the 2025 AGC. Our premier event would be undermined and constitutional offenses would be implicitly supported if it were held under such conditions.
“The NBA has adopted a legal stance in line with its principles: Rivers State’s nomination of a Sole Administrator is unlawful. As a result, and in accordance with the overwhelming opinion of NEC and the larger membership, we must move the 2025 AGC to a state that still maintains constitutional democracy.
It gives us great pleasure to inform that the 2025 Annual General Conference will now be place in Enugu, a historic coal city. The city is capable of hosting a conference of our size and importance since it has the necessary infrastructure. We are sure that, with enough work, this venue change won’t affect our dedication to hosting an influential and profitable conference.
“As we set out on this new journey, we ask all members and stakeholders to provide their full support. We can make this transition a huge success if we work together, are dedicated to our principles, and are united.
