The Rivers State Government has knocked the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) for the relocation of its annual conference originally scheduled for Port Harcourt to Enugu.
Senior Special Assistant, Media to the sole administrator of Rivers State, Hector Igbikiowubo, in a statement on Monday, knocked the NBA for the reasons it gave for the relocation of the annual conference from Port Harcourt.
“While we acknowledge the NBA’s right to determine the venue of its events, we find the reasons cited for this decision, particularly the insinuation that the sole administrator’s actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law, to be misleading, uncharitable, and unbecoming of an association that prides itself on upholding justice and fairness,” the state government said.
The statement regretted that the NBA in relocating the conference from Port Harcourt, overlooked the constitutional basis for the current administration in Rivers State.
It said the declaration of a state of emergency was a necessary response to a breakdown of public order and democratic processes.
“President Bola Tinubu, in exercising his constitutional authority, acted in the best interest of the state to restore stability.
“The sole administrator’s mandate is clear: to oversee a transitional period that ensures the return of full democratic governance in line with the constitution.
“To suggest that this intervention flouts the rule of law is not only incorrect but ignores the Supreme Court’s rulings that have validated key decisions made during this period.
“In the event the NBA is not aware, may we refer the association to the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court in suit number SC/CV/1176/2024 (Rivers State House of Assembly & others versus Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) & nine others), where the apex court unequivocally ruled that any local government election conducted in violation of the Electoral Act is unconstitutional, null, and void,” the statement said
it added that contrary to the NBA’s assertions, the sole administrator has consistently reaffirmed his commitment to restoring democratic institutions as soon as practicable, upholding the constitutional rights of all residents, including freedom of movement, speech, and association and respecting judicial pronouncements, including those of the Supreme Court, which have guided the administration’s actions.
Read also: NBA relocates annual confab to Enugu over emergency rule in Rivers
The statement accused the NBA of reducing a complex constitutional matter to political sensationalism, adding that as the association is clinging to a “principled position,” it could have as well refunded N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference.
“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits,” it added.
The statement maintained that Rivers State is passing through a challenging but necessary phase in its democratic journey, saying rather than contributing to unnecessary tension, the NBA is expected as a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s democracy to engage constructively, offering solutions instead of amplifying divisive narratives.
“The sole administrator remains focused on his mandate to stabilise the state and facilitate a smooth return to full constitutional governance.
“We urge the NBA and other well-meaning Nigerians to support this process in the interest of peace and progress,” the statement counseled.
