The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has announced the relocation of its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Enugu, citing a breakdown of constitutional governance and democratic order in the oil-rich state.
The decision follows the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the entire state House of Assembly for six months. The president subsequently appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as Sole Administrator to govern the state — a move widely condemned as unconstitutional by legal and civil society groups.
In a strongly worded statement released on Friday, the NBA condemned the appointment of a Sole Administrator, calling it an affront to democratic norms and the rule of law.
“Currently, Rivers State is 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 association stressed that it could not, in good conscience, hold its flagship event in a state where democratic institutions have been suspended and constitutional processes sidelined.
“Given these undemocratic developments, Port Harcourt can no longer be considered a justifiable venue for the 2025 AGC. To hold our flagship event in such circumstances would amount to a tacit endorsement of constitutional violations and subversion of the rule of law.”
The decision to relocate the conference was made after consultations with branch chairpersons in Rivers State and a National Executive Council (NEC) emergency session held on March 27, 2025. The outcome of that session showed overwhelming support for relocating the AGC to a venue more reflective of the NBA’s core values — rule of law, democracy, and justice.
The NBA further stated:
“The appointment of a Sole Administrator in Rivers State is unconstitutional… We are compelled to relocate the 2025 AGC to a state where constitutional democracy remains intact.”
The new host city, Enugu — popularly known as the Coal City — has been selected for its infrastructure, security, and historical significance. The NBA expressed confidence in the city’s capacity to deliver a seamless and impactful conference.
The statement was jointly signed by:
- Afam Osigwe (SAN) – President, NBA
- Mobolaji Ojibara – General Secretary
- Dr. Emeka Obegolu (SAN) – Chairman, AGC Planning Committee
This relocation signals a bold and principled stand by the NBA against the perceived erosion of constitutional governance in Rivers. It also marks the first time in recent history that the association has changed its AGC venue in direct response to political developments.
As the countdown to the AGC begins, legal professionals and civil society observers alike will be watching closely to see how this symbolic act of resistance influences broader conversations about constitutional integrity and governance in Nigeria.
