The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has explained that it shifted its 2025 Annual General Conference to Enugu from Port Harcourt due to the emergency rule in Rivers State.
The leadership of the NBA, headed by Afam Osigwe, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
According to the statement, NBA attributed the change to the emergency rule in Rivers State, which was imposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18th, 2025.
The statement explained that the actions of the Rivers State Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ekwe Ibas, have undermined democratic institutions and processes, flouting the rule of law with impunity, which NBA abhors.
It stated that the overwhelming consensus among members was that NBA could not, in good conscience, proceed with the conference in a state governed unconstitutionally by a sole administrator.
To this end, NBA reaffirmed that the state of emergency declared in Rivers State violates Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
NBA further noted that the suspension of elected officials, including Siminalayi Fubara, prior to other democratic institutions, contravenes Sections 11 and 188 of the Constitution.
The association also faulted the National Assembly's ratification of the emergency rule in Rivers State.
“Given these undemocratic developments, Port Harcourt can no longer be considered a justifiable venue for the 2025 AGC. To hold our flagship event in such circumstances would amount to a tacit endorsement of constitutional violations and subversion of the rule of law.
“The NBA has taken a principled position in accordance with the law: the appointment of a sole administrator in Rivers State is unconstitutional.
“Consequently, and in alignment with the overwhelming position of NEC and the broader membership, we are compelled to relocate the 2025 AGC to a state where constitutional democracy remains intact.
“We are pleased to announce that the 2025 Annual General Conference will now be held in the historic Coal City of Enugu,” the statement partly reads.
DAILY POST reports that after the declaration of Rivers' emergency rule, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibas to oversee the state.
In recent days, the sole administrator has sacked all political appointees and appointed a new secretary of the state government, 23 local government area chairmen, and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission chairman.
