The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has responded to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) following its decision to move the 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
In a statement issued on Monday in Port Harcourt by his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubo, Ibas described the NBA’s reasons for the relocation as “misleading” and “uncharitable.”
While acknowledging the NBA’s right to choose any venue, he questioned the association’s silence on refunding the N300 million the Rivers State Government had already paid for hosting rights.
“If the NBA truly operates on principle, it should show integrity by returning the funds rather than discrediting a state from which it has benefited,” the statement said.
The state government took issue with the NBA’s April 10 announcement, which cited concerns over democratic governance and the rule of law under the current administration. Ibas argued that the appointment of a Sole Administrator followed constitutional procedures after a breakdown of public order, and that President Bola Tinubu acted within his constitutional powers to restore stability.
“The Sole Administrator’s mandate is to oversee a transition period aimed at restoring full democratic governance,” the statement read. “Suggesting this flouts the rule of law is inaccurate and ignores Supreme Court rulings that have validated key actions taken during this time.”
He referenced a recent Supreme Court judgment (SC/CV/1176/2024) which ruled local government elections conducted in violation of the Electoral Act as “unconstitutional, null, and void.”
Ibas emphasized his respect for the NBA but urged the association to avoid politicizing complex constitutional matters. He called for constructive dialogue rather than divisive rhetoric.
“Rivers State is undergoing a necessary but challenging democratic transition,” the statement concluded. “We call on the NBA and all well-meaning Nigerians to support efforts aimed at restoring peace, stability, and lawful governance.”