Andrew Emwanta, wey be President of the African Public Interest Lawyers Union, don tell the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) make dem return the ₦300 million wey Rivers State Government give for the 2025 NBA Annual General Conference.
Emwanta talk say the money cause wahala now because of political drama wey dey happen for Rivers, especially as NBA don shift the conference from Port Harcourt go Enugu.
He talk say:
“No correct way dey do wrong thing. Make NBA return the money to protect the profession’s image. Na Rivers taxpayers’ money.”
He also question why NBA quickly condemn the emergency rule declaration wey remove Governor Sim Fubara, just two hours after the broadcast. He say NBA dey act like dem dey Fubara side.
He come ask:
“Now wey NBA no go do the event for Rivers again, wetin go happen to all the hotel bookings and logistics wey dem don spend money on? The honorable thing na to return the ₦300 million.”
Emwanta still raise eyebrow say NBA choose Enugu as new venue, say why dem no pick Abuja instead. He claim say people go begin read ethnic bias into the matter since NBA president na from Anambra.
But Emeka Obegolu (SAN), chairman of the 2025 NBA Conference Committee, reply say:
“The ₦300 million na free support, no be say na payment for hosting rights. Decision to host for Port Harcourt don happen since August 2024 — no be because of money.”
Obegolu say dem dey collect support from different bodies due to the scale of the event, but say no be the money determine the host city.
Meanwhile, Enugu State Government don ready to host the event. Rita Mbah, wey be Chairperson of Enugu State Tourism Board, promise lawyers say the conference go “sweet and smooth” for their new International Conference Centre.
Rivers State Government, now under Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), vex say NBA move the conference. Their media aide, Hector Igbikiowubo, talk say NBA’s reason no make sense:
“Dem no respect the constitutional reason why this new government dey in place. That emergency rule na to restore order for the state.”
This ₦300 million palava don add more fire to the political tension wey dey boil for Rivers, ever since President Tinubu declare emergency rule for the state in March 2025.
