NBA strikes legal professionals’ Annual Basic Convention to Enugu, says Port Harcourt not a justifiable venue
The Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA) has shifted its 2025 Annual Basic Convention (AGC) from Port Harcourt to Enugu, stating that the previous is now not a justifiable venue.
The change was introduced in a press release on Thursday, collectively signed by NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN; Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the Basic Secretary; and Emeka Obegolu, SAN.
Osigwe defined that the choice to relocate the famend NBA AGC to Enugu was necessitated by President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) because the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
He famous that the affiliation convened conferences with the Chairmen of NBA branches in Rivers State and held an emergency session of the Nationwide Govt Council (NEC) on March 27, 2025, to deliberate on the matter.
He added that the overwhelming consensus was that the NBA couldn’t, in good conscience, proceed with the AGC in a state ruled “unconstitutionally” by a Sole Administrator.
On March 19, 2025, Osigwe, SAN, had described the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State Home of Meeting by President Bola Tinubu as “unconstitutional” and regarding.
Nairametrics beforehand reported that President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following months of escalating political unrest and violence within the oil-rich area, in addition to the failure of related political stakeholders to embrace peace.
The President cited Part 305 of the 1999 Structure, which empowers him to declare a state of emergency in conditions of nationwide hazard, catastrophe, or threats to public order and security.
He additionally cited reviews of sabotage of oil pipelines within the state, which have precipitated important {economic} losses and environmental harm.
The event, nevertheless, was greeted with blended reactions throughout board.
NBA AGC Shifted to Enugu
In accordance with the NBA assertion, the announcement that Port Harcourt, the Backyard Metropolis, would host the 2025 AGC was initially met with widespread enthusiasm.
- Nonetheless, the affiliation famous that the unlucky flip of occasions in Rivers State has understandably stalled momentum and affected superior preparations for the convention.
- At the moment, in keeping with the NBA, Rivers State is being ruled by a retired army officer appointed as a Sole Administrator, who allegedly operates with a command-style method that disregards constitutional provisions, court docket choices, and pending litigation.
“His actions have undermined democratic establishments and processes, flouting the rule of legislation with impunity. Although clad in civilian apparel, he governs as if the state is below army rule,” the NBA added.
The NBA NEC reaffirmed its place on Rivers State on the next grounds:
- That the state of emergency declared in Rivers State violates Part 305 of the 1999 Structure.
- That the suspension of elected officers and democratic establishments contravenes Sections 11 and 188 of the Structure.
- That the purported ratification by the Nationwide Meeting, executed by way of voice vote slightly than the constitutionally required two-thirds majority, quantities to a grave constitutional subversion.
- That even when the right process had been adopted, it could not legitimize an unconstitutional proclamation.
“Given these undemocratic developments, Port Harcourt can now not be thought of a justifiable venue for the 2025 AGC,” the NBA acknowledged.
- Osigwe concluded that holding the affiliation’s flagship occasion in Port Harcourt would quantity to a tacit endorsement of alleged constitutional violations and the subversion of the rule of legislation.
The NBA referred to as on all members and stakeholders to lend their full help to the re-arrangement.
