Gladness Gideon
The Rivers State Government has strongly condemned the Nigerian Bar Association’s decision to relocate its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu, labeling the move as unjustified and demanding a refund of ₦300 million already paid for hosting rights.
In a statement issued Monday by Hector Igbikiowubo, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Sole Administrator of the state, the government expressed dismay over what it described as the NBA’s “misleading, uncharitable, and unbecoming” justification for the relocation.
While acknowledging the NBA’s autonomy in selecting a venue for its annual gathering, the government took issue with the association’s claim that the current leadership structure in Rivers State undermines democratic principles and the rule of law.
“The NBA’s assertion overlooks the constitutional basis for the current interim administration,” the statement read, emphasizing that the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu followed a legitimate collapse of democratic institutions within the state. The government argued that the president acted within his constitutional authority, invoking emergency powers to restore order and ensure governance continuity.
The Sole Administrator, appointed to steer the state through this transitional period, was described as “fully committed to upholding constitutional values and facilitating the return of democratic governance.” The government underscored that key decisions made under the current administration had been upheld by the Supreme Court, referencing Suit No. SC/CV/1176/2024, which nullified any local government elections conducted in violation of the Electoral Act.
According to the statement, the NBA’s portrayal of the situation as a breakdown of the rule of law amounted to political sensationalism and ignored critical legal precedents. “It is regrettable that the NBA, as a body of learned professionals, would simplify a multifaceted constitutional issue into a narrow political critique,” it said.
Adding financial dimensions to the dispute, the Rivers State Government demanded a refund of ₦300 million, which it said was previously disbursed for conference hosting rights. It accused the NBA of moral inconsistency, stating: “If the NBA stands firmly on principle, then it must also display that same integrity by returning the funds to the state.”
READ ALSO: NBA Moves Annual Conference from Rivers Over Emergency Rule
Beyond the call for reimbursement, the statement criticized what it termed the NBA’s “selective principled stand,” urging the association and other stakeholders to adopt a more constructive role in supporting the state’s democratic transition.
“The Sole Administrator remains focused on stabilizing the state and creating a pathway for the return of full constitutional governance,” the government affirmed. “We call on the NBA and all well-meaning Nigerians to rise above partisanship and engage meaningfully in the rebuilding process.”
The relocation of the NBA conference comes at a politically sensitive time for Rivers State, which has been under a transitional administration since the federal government’s intervention last year. The development has sparked broader debate about the balance between constitutional authority and democratic representation during states of emergency.