The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has announced a change of venue for its 2025 Annual General Conference.
Originally planned to take place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the conference will now be held in Enugu.
This decision was made in response to the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The NBA acknowledged the significant enthusiasm for hosting the 2024 Conference in Port Harcourt, as demonstrated by high registration numbers.
However, the association stated that the appointment of a sole administrator, a retired military officer allegedly governing with a command-style approach, makes it no longer suitable for the Garden City to remain the host city.
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This information was conveyed in a statement jointly signed by the NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), the General Secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, and the AGCPC chair, Emeka Obegolu (SAN), late Thursday night.
The NBA further noted that while the sole administrator may be dressed in civilian clothes, his governing style is perceived as military-like and undermines democratic principles.
The statement read, “Indeed, prior to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, registration figures had soared, reflecting the excitement and eagerness of members to attend.
“However, the unfortunate turn of events in Rivers State has understandably stalled the momentum and affected advanced preparations for the conference.
“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.
“His actions have undermined democratic institutions and processes, flouting the rule of law with impunity. Though clad in civilian attire, he governs as though the state is under military rule.”
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The NBA statement further explained that this situation has led to increasing calls from its members for a change of location for the conference.
“A meeting was convened in this regard with the Chairmen of NBA branches in Rivers State. An emergency session of the National Executive Council was held on March 27, 2025, and there was an overwhelming consensus that the NBA could not, in good conscience, proceed with the AGC in a state governed unconstitutionally by a Sole Administrator,” the statement further noted.
The NBA statement also emphasized that its National Executive Council (NEC) has reaffirmed its position that the declared state of emergency in Rivers State is a violation of Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
“The NEC also unanimously agreed that the suspension of elected officials and democratic institutions contravenes Sections 11 and 188 of the Constitution and the purported ratification by the National Assembly, executed via voice vote rather than the constitutionally required two-thirds majority amounts to a grave constitutional subversion stressing that even if the proper procedure had been followed, it would not legitimize an unconstitutional proclamation.
“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 NBA has taken a principled position in accordance with the law: the appointment of a Sole Administrator in Rivers State is unconstitutional. Consequently, and in alignment with the overwhelming position of NEC and the broader membership, we are compelled to relocate the 2025 AGC to a state where constitutional democracy remains intact.
“We are pleased to announce that the 2025 Annual General Conference will now be held in the historic Coal City of Enugu. The city possesses the infrastructure and capacity to host a conference of our scale and significance. We are confident that, with concerted efforts, this change of venue will not compromise our commitment to delivering a successful and impactful Conference”, the statement concluded.
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