Rivers Emergency Rule: Hoteliers Suffer Losses As NBA Shuns PH

Sad tales of losses are beginning to pour in from those who are suffering some business losses as a result of the decision of the leadership of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, to move their Annual General Conference, AGC, from Port Harcourt to Enugu.

The NBA took the decision to protest the reign of emergency rule in Rivers State. They had earlier declared as unconstitutional and illegal, the decision of the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to declare emergency rule in the state and also suspend all democratic structures in the state.

Worst hit, according to TNN findings, are hotel owners who had started making reservations from lawyers from all parts of the country. Some of the hotels, it was learnt, started receiving payments from people ahead of the AGC.

In fact, one hotelier shared his frustrations on social media less than 24 hours after the NBA announced its decision to move the conference to Enugu, saying he was now faced with the dilemma of having to refund about N24million he took from lawyers who made deposits for accommodation in his hotel.

The hotelier said it was painful to him and his colleagues who were in the same shoes, that after spending from the deposits they took and making arrangements to host the lawyers, they would now have to make refunds, for no fault of theirs.

NBA annual conferences are always an opportunity for various business owners in the hosting state to cash out. At all times, accommodation is booked many months in advance by lawyers who would not want to be stranded.

But because of the emergency rule regime in Rivers, the NBA chose to take the conference to a state that is under democratic rule. National president of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, in a statement he signed with two others, said there was no way the lawyers would converge on Port Harcourt, where democracy had been on suspension.

He said “the announcement that Port Harcourt, the Garden City, would host the 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) of our Association was met with widespread enthusiasm. Indeed, prior to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, registration figures had soared, reflecting the excitement and eagerness of members to attend. However, the unfortunate turn of events in Rivers State has understandably stalled the momentum and affected advanced preparations for the Conference.

“Currently, Rivers State is being governed by a retired military officer, appointed as a Sole Administrator, who operates with a command-style approach that disregards constitutional provisions, court decisions, and pending litigation. His actions have undermined democratic institutions and processes, flouting the rule of law with impunity. Though clad in civilian attire, he governs as though the state is under military rule.

“The voices of our members, particularly those calling for a change of venue, grew stronger over time. We convened meetings with the Chairmen of NBA branches in Rivers State and held an emergency session of the National Executive Council (NEC) on the 27th of March, 2025. The overwhelming consensus was that the NBA could not, in good conscience, proceed with the AGC in a state governed unconstitutionally by a Sole Administrator.

“The NEC reaffirmed that the state of emergency declared in Rivers State violates Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution. It further noted that the suspension of elected officials and democratic institutions contravenes Sections 11 and 188 of the Constitution. The purported ratification by the National Assembly, executed via voice vote rather than the constitutionally required two-thirds majority amounts to a grave constitutional subversion. Even if the proper procedure had been followed, it would not legitimize an unconstitutional proclamation.

“Given these undemocratic developments, Port Harcourt can no longer be considered a justifiable venue for the 2025 AGC. To hold our flagship event in such circumstances would amount to a tacit endorsement of constitutional violations and subversion of the rule of law.

“We are pleased to announce that the 2025 Annual General Conference will now be held in the historic Coal City of Enugu. The city possesses the infrastructure and capacity to host a conference of our scale and significance. We are confident that, with concerted efforts, this change of venue will not compromise our commitment to delivering a successful and impactful Conference.”