The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), under the leadership of its President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, has announced the relocation of its 2025 Annual General Conference from Rivers State to Enugu.
This decision was made to express the NBA’s strong opposition to the appointment of a sole administrator in Rivers State, which the association views as an unconstitutional aberration.
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong praised the move in a statement on social media, describing it as a courageous and conscientious decision.
Effiong wrote: “The @NigBarAssoc courageously led by its President, @afamosigwe, SAN has moved the location of the 2025 Annual General Conference of the NBA from Rivers State to Enugu. The decision was taken to strengthen the NBA’s condemnation and rejection of the aberration called a sole administrator.”
Effiong also criticized key figures involved in the Rivers State governance crisis, including President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Minister Nyesom Wike. He added: “Let Tinubu, Akpabio, Wike and their impostor called Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete organize their own conference in Rivers State and entertain themselves.”
This relocation underscores the NBA’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and rejecting actions perceived as undermining constitutional governance.
The association’s stance has been widely commended by legal professionals and civil society advocates who view it as a bold step in defending the rule of law.