The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe (SAN), has attributed the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State to the personal ambitions of key political figures rather than any Supreme Court judgment.
Osigwe made this statement on Wednesday in Abuja during a press conference ahead of the NBA Section on Legal Practice (NBA-SLP) annual conference. He stressed that the conflict in Rivers could have been avoided if the political actors had prioritized the interests of the people over their personal rivalries.
“The issue in Rivers State is not about the Supreme Court ruling but about the unwillingness of the key players to set aside their differences for the greater good. If they had been more focused on the welfare and security of the people rather than proving dominance, this situation would not have escalated,” he said.
He dismissed attempts to blame the judiciary, arguing that even after court rulings, parties often find ways to resolve disputes amicably.
“Legal judgments do not prevent parties from reaching a peaceful resolution. The real challenge here is ego and the battle for political control,” Osigwe added.
On the federal government’s involvement, Osigwe cautioned against the misuse of constitutional provisions, emphasizing that any intervention should be properly guided by the law.
“Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution cannot be applied in isolation from Section 11. There have been instances of greater security threats in other states, yet no state of emergency was declared. The Rivers situation can be addressed if the key figures act in the best interest of the people rather than their personal ambitions,” he stated.
He also criticized the suggestion of appointing an administrator, particularly a retired military officer, to govern the state, calling it unconstitutional and a dangerous precedent.
“Such a move would undermine democratic principles and go against constitutional provisions,” he warned.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the NBA-SLP Conference Planning Committee, Paul Harris Ogbole (SAN), announced that the 2025 conference will take place in Jos from April 24 to April 27.
Themed “Uncommon Challenges in a Rapidly Changing Legal Environment,” the conference will explore emerging legal issues, the effects of globalization on the legal profession, and new opportunities in areas such as legal technology and alternative dispute resolution.
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