The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has officially announced the relocation of its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Enugu, citing the imposition of emergency rule in the state and what it describes as unconstitutional governance under a sole administrator.
The NBA, in a statement released late Thursday night, expressed grave concerns over the legal and constitutional implications of holding its flagship event in a state currently under emergency rule and governed outside democratic norms. The decision comes just weeks after President Bola Tinubu suspended the elected government of Rivers State and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as sole administrator.
According to the statement signed by NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN), General Secretary Mobolaji Ojibara, and AGC Planning Committee Chairman Emeka Obegolu (SAN), the legal community could not in good conscience proceed with the AGC in a state “where constitutional democracy has been effectively suspended.”
“Rivers State is currently 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,” the statement reads.
The NBA further alleged that the actions of the sole administrator, though dressed in civilian clothing, reflect “military authoritarianism that flouts the rule of law and undermines democratic institutions.”
The emergency rule was declared on March 18, 2025, following escalating political tensions in Rivers. President Tinubu, citing national security concerns, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the entire Rivers State House of Assembly. This drastic move was endorsed by the National Assembly through a voice vote, drawing widespread condemnation from civil society and constitutional law experts.
The NBA National Executive Council (NEC), during an emergency session held on March 27, unanimously condemned the declaration, describing it as a “grave constitutional subversion” and a violation of Sections 11, 188, and 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
The legal body emphasized that its decision to relocate is grounded in principles, not politics.
“To hold our flagship event in such circumstances would amount to a tacit endorsement of constitutional violations and the subversion of the rule of law,” the statement noted.
The NBA said it consulted widely with its members, particularly branch chairmen in Rivers State, and received overwhelming support for the relocation. The legal association reiterated that the rule of law is non-negotiable and that its actions send a message about its commitment to democratic governance.
New Host City: Enugu Steps In
The 2025 AGC will now be held in Enugu, the Coal City, a metropolis known for its legal heritage and institutional capacity. The NBA expressed confidence in Enugu’s ability to host an event of such magnitude and assured members that preparations are underway to ensure a seamless transition.
“Enugu possesses the infrastructure and hospitality to host a conference of this scale. We are confident that this relocation will not compromise the quality or impact of the AGC,” the NBA said.
Since the imposition of emergency rule, Rivers State has witnessed increasing political unrest, with stakeholders divided over the legality and necessity of Tinubu’s intervention. Critics argue that the situation did not meet the constitutional threshold for emergency declaration, while others accuse the Federal Government of using executive power to settle political scores.
Human rights groups, including the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), have also condemned the move, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent for democratic backsliding.
Prominent legal practitioners have praised the NBA’s stance as a bold reaffirmation of its role as the conscience of the nation’s legal and democratic integrity.
“This is not just about a venue. It’s about sending a clear message that the NBA stands for democratic values, the supremacy of the Constitution, and ethical responsibility,” said Prof. Chioma Okonkwo, a constitutional law expert at the University of Nigeria.
With this decisive action, the NBA has positioned itself at the forefront of legal advocacy for constitutionalism in Nigeria. The 2025 conference is now set to be not just a gathering of lawyers, but a symbolic reaffirmation of the country’s democratic aspirations.
As Nigeria grapples with mounting political instability in some regions, the NBA’s relocation of its annual conference could ignite broader conversations about federal overreach, constitutional checks and balances, and the urgent need to uphold the rule of law.