NBA Slams Tinubu's Suspension Of Rivers State Governor, Calls For Immediate Reversal

Scope 30 Mar 2025

NBA Takes a Strong Stand Against Tinubu's Suspension of Rivers Governor

Listen up, folks. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is not holding back when it comes to President Bola Tinubu's decision to suspend Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. They're calling it out as unconstitutional and urging Tinubu to rethink his choice. This is big, and it’s got everyone talking. Let’s break it down.

Just the other day, President Tinubu dropped a bombshell by declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State. With one swift move, he suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and every single member of the state’s House of Assembly. The reason? A political crisis that, according to Tinubu, needed urgent action. But is this the right way to handle it? The NBA says no, and they're making their voices heard loud and clear.

Naija News is reporting that Tinubu didn’t stop there. He went ahead and appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, to take over as the state’s sole administrator. Now, that’s a bold move, but is it constitutional? That’s the question everyone’s asking.

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Afam Osigwe Speaks Out on Channels TV

On Sunday Politics on Channels TV, NBA President Afam Osigwe laid it all out. He didn’t mince words when he reiterated the association’s position on the matter. Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is firm in his belief that removing Fubara from office was a clear violation of the Nigerian Constitution. And here’s the kicker—he pointed out that the Constitution doesn’t even recognize the concept of a Sole Administrator. So, what exactly is going on here?

Osigwe is calling for Fubara’s immediate reinstatement. He emphasized that the President’s actions don’t align with the constitutional framework that’s supposed to guide such decisions. In his own words, Osigwe 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.”

He didn’t stop there. Osigwe added, “And that is why we do not recognize a sole administrator as the rightful person to occupy the government house in Rivers State having been appointed unconstitutionally.” He questioned the legitimacy of the oath Ibok-Ete Ibas took, pointing out that it wasn’t recognized by the Constitution. He even wondered aloud, “Which oath was he taking?”

A Political Problem Needs a Political Solution

Osigwe likened the situation in Rivers State to using a sledgehammer to cure a headache. He argued that the measures taken by the President were not only overreaching but also undemocratic and unconstitutional. This isn’t just a legal issue; it’s a political one, and Osigwe believes that only a political solution can resolve it.

Some people have suggested that there might be a loophole in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which President Tinubu reportedly used to justify his actions in Rivers State. But Osigwe shot that down, insisting that the Constitution is clear enough. He said, “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.”

This whole situation is a reminder that the rule of law matters. It’s about ensuring that even the highest offices in the land adhere to the principles enshrined in the Constitution. As the debate continues, one thing is certain: the eyes of the nation are on Rivers State, and how this plays out could set a precedent for years to come.