State of Emergency: Why we won’t recognise Rivers’ sole administrator – NBA

The leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) has said that it does not recongnise the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retired) as the Sole Administrator for Rivers State.

NBA’s president, Afam Osigwe urged President Bola Tinubu to reverse the declaration of the State of Emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of Governor Siminalyi Fubara and other elected officials of the state.

Speaking on Channels Television on Monday, March 24, Osigwe condemned the decision taken by the president over the political crisis rocking Rivers State.

He described the president’s proclamation as unconstitutional and illegal.

He also stated that Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution as amended does not recognise a sole administrator nor its appointment in such an event.

He said, “That is our belief, that is what we expect the president to do — to restore him (Fubara) back to power, having unconstitutionally removed him.”

“And that is why we do not recognise a sole administrator as the rightful person to occupy the government house in Rivers State, having been appointed unconstitutionally,” he said.

Continuing, Osigwe said the oath of office taken by Ibas at the Presidential Villa is also alien to the Nigerian Constitution.

He also condemned the leaders of the National Assembly and its members for approving the proclamation of a State of Emergency and the suspension of duly elected officials of a state by the president.

“I do not believe that it (Section 305) is not explicit; I simply believe that we deliberately refuse to apply it the way it is,” Osigwe said.