NBA’s Stance On Rivers State Crisis Unrelated To Conference Sponsorship By Uthman Isa Tochukwu, Esq.

I have read with concern the recent remarks by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, suggesting that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is opposing the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State because it expects financial sponsorship from Governor Siminalayi Fubara for its Annual General Conference.

This allegation is not only false but also disappointing, coming from a Senior Lawyer and a Life Bencher who should know better.

The NBA’s position on the state of emergency is grounded purely on constitutional principles and the rule of law. The NBA, as the foremost professional body of lawyers in Nigeria, has consistently spoken out against any action that threatens democratic governance, regardless of who is involved. Its opposition to the unlawful removal of elected officials under the guise of a state of emergency is no different.

The NBA has never been dependent on any single state government for the success of its Annual General Conference. A clear example is the 2023 conference, which was successfully hosted in Abuja, a neutral ground without a state government, and witnessed the participation of over 17,000 lawyers. That event was a testament to the NBA’s capacity to organize and execute its programs without relying on any state governor’s sponsorship.

Rather than making baseless accusations, one would have expected Wike, as a senior member of the legal profession, to engage with the constitutional arguments raised by the NBA on the state of emergency issue. As someone who has benefitted immensely from the legal profession, it is regrettable that he would resort to attacking the very institution that has shaped his career.

The NBA does not take positions based on personal or political interests. Its commitment remains to the law, justice, and the legal profession. It would do well for all legal practitioners, especially senior members of the Bar, to uphold these values rather than attempt to discredit them.

Uthman Isa Tochukwu, Esq.

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