By Ayo Kehinde
Rivers State Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has asked the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to refund the N300 million the Rivers State Government paid to the association for hosting the 2025 NBA Annual General Conference.
“While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association—despite its “principled position”— didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference. If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits”, Rivers Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, said in a statement signed on Monday by his SSA on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo.
The NBA, last week, moved its 2025 conference earlier scheduled for Port Harcourt, to Enugu, in protest against the emergency rule.
Following the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, the Association had declared the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and the Rivers State House of Assembly and appointment of Vice Admiral Ibas (Rtd) to oversee the Administration of the State as unconstitutional.
Announcing the relocation of the annual conference, the NBA said that hosting the event in Port Harcourt would amount to endorsing illegality.
Reacting to the relocation on Monday, Ibas described the NBA decision as uncharitable and double- standard.
Noting that the state was passing through a challenging phase in its democratic journey, Ibas appealed to the NBA to engage constructively, offering solutions instead of amplifying divisive narratives.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to the Nigeria Bar Association’s (NBA) announcement dated 10th April 2025, relocating its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu. While we acknowledge the NBA’s right to determine the venue of its events, we find the reasons cited for this decision—particularly the insinuation that the Sole Administrator’s actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law—to be misleading, uncharitable, and unbecoming of an association that prides itself on upholding justice and fairness.
“The NBA’s statement overlooks the constitutional basis for the current administration in Rivers State. The declaration of a state of emergency was a necessary response to a breakdown of public order and democratic processes.
“His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, in exercising his constitutional authority, acted in the best interest of the state to restore stability. The Sole Administrator’s mandate is clear: to oversee a transitional period that ensures the return of full democratic governance in line with the Constitution. To suggest that this intervention “flouts the rule of law” is not only incorrect but ignores the Supreme Court’s rulings that have validated key decisions made during this period.
“In the event the NBA is not aware, may we refer the association to the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court in Suit No. SC/CV/1176/2024 (Rivers State House of Assembly & Others vs. Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) & Nine Others), where the apex court unequivocally ruled that any local government election conducted in violation of the Electoral Act is “unconstitutional, null, and void.
“Contrary to the NBA’s assertions, the Sole Administrator has consistently reaffirmed his commitment to:
“Restoring democratic institutions as soon as practicable; Upholding the constitutional rights of all residents, including freedom of movement, speech, and association; Respecting judicial pronouncements, including those of the Supreme Court, which have guided the administration’s actions.
“The NBA, as a body of legal minds, should know better than to reduce a complex constitutional matter to political sensationalism.
“While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association—despite its “principled position”— didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference. If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.
“Rivers State is passing through a challenging but necessary phase in its democratic journey. Rather than contributing to unnecessary tension, we expect the NBA—as a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s democracy—to engage constructively, offering solutions instead of amplifying divisive narratives.
“The Sole Administrator remains focused on his mandate to stabilize the state and facilitate a smooth return to full constitutional governance. We urge the NBA and other well-meaning Nigerians to support this process in the interest of peace and progress.”
