The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has relocated its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu, citing the unconstitutional governance structure in Rivers State following President Tinubu’s emergency declaration.
In a late-night statement signed by President Afam Osigwe (SAN) and other executives, the NBA condemned the continued administration of Rivers by retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator, describing his rule as “military-style governance in civilian garb.”
Key reasons for the boycott:
➤ Suspension of elected officials violates Sections 11 & 188 of 1999 Constitution
➤ National Assembly’s voice-vote ratification failed constitutional two-thirds requirement
➤ Multiple court orders allegedly disregarded by current administration
“The legal community cannot in good conscience host our premier event in a state where democratic institutions are suspended,” the statement read, noting that over 5,000 lawyers had already registered for the Port Harcourt conference before the March 18 emergency declaration.
The NBA’s National Executive Council voted overwhelmingly for relocation after emergency consultations with Rivers branch chairmen. The event will now hold in Enugu from August 18-23, 2025.
This marks the first time in NBA’s 64-year conference history that a host city has been changed over constitutional concerns. Legal analysts view the move as a significant rebuke of the federal government’s handling of the Rivers crisis.
