The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has announced the relocation of its 2025 Annual General Assembly (AGC) from the River State port port to Enugu State, citing concerns about the current state of emergency in Rivers. The decision was conveyed in an April 10, 2025 letter signed by NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) and provided to the media.
According to Osigwe, the decision reflects an overwhelming consensus among the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the broader NBA members. Despite the enthusiasm of initially choosing Port Harcourt as the host country, the state of emergency announced on March 18, 2025 has greatly interrupted preparations. Retired Admiral IBOK-ETE IBAS is particularly considered a key issue.
The NBA describes River State governance under IBAS as an “instructive approach to disregarding constitutional provisions, court rulings and pending litigation.” The association criticized his actions for undermining democratic institutions, noting that Ibas ruled military rule despite wearing civilian costumes.
In the statement, the NBA asserted that the state of emergency violated Article 305 of the 1999 Constitution, and that the suspension of elected officials and other democratic institutions violated Sections 11 and 188. The association also questioned the legitimacy of the National Assembly’s approval of emergency rule and claimed that it was done by voice voting rather than constructing both of the two rulers. This constitutes “serious constitutional subversion,” the NBA said.
The NBA stressed that putting its flagship incident in a state of compromised rule of law would be equivalent to acquiescing to approve illegal acts. It reaffirmed its position that appointing the sole executive of Rivers is unconstitutional and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding democratic principles.
Therefore, the 2025 Annual General Assembly will now be held in Enugu State, and the NBA believes it is consistent with constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
