The Rivers State Government has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to refund N300 million paid as hosting rights for its 2025 Annual General Conference, following the association’s decision to relocate the event from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
In a statement issued Monday by the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), through his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubo, the government expressed disappointment over the NBA’s stated reasons for the relocation, calling them “misleading and uncharitable.”
While acknowledging the NBA’s right to choose its conference venue, Ibas questioned the omission of any mention of refunding the money already disbursed by the state.
“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate integrity by promptly returning the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government,” the statement said.
The NBA had announced on April 10, 2025, that it was moving the conference to Enugu, citing concerns over democratic governance in Rivers State.
The association implied that actions taken by the Sole Administrator undermined democracy and the rule of law.
In response, the Rivers State Government argued that the decision to declare a state of emergency and appoint a Sole Administrator was constitutionally backed.
The statement emphasized that President Bola Tinubu acted within his authority to restore order in the state.
According to Ibas, the role of the Sole Administrator is to manage a transitional phase aimed at returning to full democratic governance.
He insisted that judicial support, including a Supreme Court judgment in Suit No. SC/CV/1176/2024, had validated key decisions made during this period, particularly regarding the nullification of local government elections held in violation of the Electoral Act.
The statement further accused the NBA of politicizing a complex constitutional matter and called for constructive engagement rather than divisive rhetoric.
“Rivers State is navigating a challenging but necessary stage in its democratic journey.
We urge the NBA and other stakeholders to support this process in the interest of peace and progress,” it concluded.