The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, has accused the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), of flouting the constitution and threatening Nigeria’s democracy.
In a joint statement on Thursday, April 17, signed by eight branch chairmen of the Body of Chairmen, Rivers State, the association said it was “deeply concerned” by recent developments since the imposition of emergency rule in the state.
“The Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, unequivocally condemns the actions of the Sole Administrator, which, in our view, violate the spirit and letters of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” the statement read.
The lawyers criticised the suspension of elected officials and recent appointments made by the administrator, describing them as “unlawful, provocative, and injurious to democratic institutions.”
They warned that such overreach could erode public trust in both governance and the legal system, especially when accompanied by reported cases of harassment and intimidation of critics and peaceful protesters.
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The NBA said it could not “remain silent while the constitutional order is brazenly disregarded,” warning that Nigeria’s democratic journey is under threat.
In a clear call to President Bola Tinubu, who appointed Ibas on March 19, 2025, the NBA demanded a review of the emergency governance arrangement and the immediate reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials.
“We remind the Federal Government and all relevant institutions that the democratic will of the people is sacrosanct and must be respected,” the statement added.
The association reaffirmed its stance on the rule of law, cautioning against setting a dangerous precedent where constitutional governance is undermined under any guise.
As tensions escalate in Rivers State, the NBA’s intervention reflects a growing unease among civil society and legal professionals over what they see as the steady erosion of democratic norms.