The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has announced that its 2025 annual general conference will now hold in Enugu, instead of the earlier choice of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The association attributed the change of location to the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.
In a statement signed by the NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), General Secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, and conference Chair, Emeka Obegolu (SAN), the association said that while there had been widespread excitement about Port Harcourt being the host city, the appointment of a sole administrator who is a retired military officer has created a situation that no longer allows the Garden City to host the conference.
The NBA expressed regret that while there have been soaring registration numbers indicating high enthusiasm for the event, the governing style of the sole administrator, which the association describes as military-like, has undermined democratic processes.
The body noted that although the administrator is dressed in civilian attire, his command-style governance disregards constitutional provisions, court decisions, and ongoing litigations.
“Indeed, prior to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, registration figures had soared, reflecting the excitement and eagerness of members to attend.
“However, the unfortunate turn of events in Rivers State has understandably stalled the momentum and affected advanced preparations for the conference.
“Currently, Rivers State is being governed by a retired military officer, appointed as a sole administrator, who operates with a command-style approach that disregards constitutional provisions, court decisions, and pending litigation.
“His actions have undermined democratic institutions and processes, flouting the rule of law with impunity. Though clad in civilian attire, he governs as though the state is under military rule,” the statement said.
The statement further stated that this development has prompted members to demand a change of venue, leading to an emergency session of the NBA National Executive Council (NEC) on March 27, 2025.
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The meeting, the statement added, resulted in a unanimous consensus that the NBA could not in good conscience proceed with the annual conference in a state governed unconstitutionally by a sole administrator.
The NBA also expressed concerns that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State violated Section 305 of the 1999 constitution and that the suspension of elected officials and democratic institutions contravened Sections 11 and 188 of the constitution.
The association argued that the National Assembly’s ratification of the state of emergency, executed via a voice vote instead of the constitutionally required two-thirds majority, amounted to a subversion of the constitution.
In light of these undemocratic developments, the NBA concluded that Port Harcourt could no longer be considered a justifiable venue for the 2025 annual general conference.
The statement emphasized that hosting the event in such conditions will amount to tacitly endorsing constitutional violations and the subversion of the rule of law.
The NBA reaffirmed its commitment to holding the 2025 annual general conference in a state where constitutional democracy is intact, announcing that the conference would now be held in Enugu, the Coal City.
The association expressed confidence that the city possesses the infrastructure to host a conference of such scale and that the relocation will not compromise their efforts to deliver a successful and impactful event.
