NBA Rivers State Branches Threaten Boycott of 2025 Annual General Conference over Exclusion from LOC
In a dramatic turn of events, the eight branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Rivers State have threatened to boycott the Association’s 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC), slated for August in Rivers State. The protest stems from allegations that the Annual General Conference Planning Committee (AGCPC), chaired by Chief Emeka Obegolu SAN, sidelined the Rivers branches during the constitution of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the event.
In a letter dated January 17, 2025, and addressed to the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, the Chairmen of the Rivers branches described the LOC’s formation as an affront to their roles and an outright breach of tradition. They expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of consultation and have demanded immediate action to rectify the perceived injustice.
Rivers NBA Chairmen Protest Marginalization
The Chairmen noted that a notice announcing the inauguration of the LOC was circulating on social media, signed by one Boma Owunabo. The virtual inauguration was reportedly scheduled for January 17, 2025, without their knowledge or input. Traditionally, the Chairmen of NBA branches in the host state play a central role in driving the activities of the LOC in collaboration with the AGCPC.
In the protest letter, the Chairmen declared:
“We, the Chairmen of the NBA Branches in Rivers State, are embarrassed by the said publication as we were not in any way involved nor consulted in the constitution of the purported LOC. It is shocking that this tradition is being breached in the case of the 2025 AGC.”
They accused the AGCPC of “hijacking” their role and dissociated themselves from the purported LOC list and its inauguration.
Threat of Boycott
The letter further warned that the Rivers branches would boycott the AGC if the NBA leadership fails to address their concerns promptly. They stressed that the exclusion undermines the efforts of local branches and diminishes their constitutional roles.
Full List of Signatories
The letter was signed by the Chairmen of all eight NBA branches in Rivers State, as follows:
- Cordelia U. Eke (Mrs.), Port Harcourt Branch
- Hilda Desmond-Ihekaire (Ph.D), Ahoada Branch
- Simple I. Dioha, Esq., Isiokpo Branch
- Abiye A. Abo, Esq., Degema Branch
- Dr. N. A. Duson, Bori Branch
- Dr. Celestine Nwankwo, Okehi Branch
- Tamunosiki A. Roberts, Esq., Okrika Branch
- Ekeledinichukwu Ordu, Esq., Omoku Branch
What’s at Stake?
The NBA Annual General Conference is the largest gathering of legal professionals in Nigeria, drawing participants from across the country and abroad. As the host state, Rivers plays a crucial role in the logistics, planning, and execution of the event. The threat of a boycott by local branches could create significant disruptions, affecting attendance, organization, and the overall success of the conference.
Moreover, the conflict raises larger questions about transparency, inclusivity, and governance within the NBA. The Chairmen’s claims of sidelining, if unresolved, may set a dangerous precedent for future conferences and damage the Association’s unity.
Call for Intervention
The Chairmen have called on NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN to intervene urgently. They urged him to uphold the tradition of collaboration with host branches by addressing their exclusion from the LOC and reconstituting the committee with their input.
NBA Leadership Yet to Respond
As of the time of this report, neither the NBA President nor Chief Emeka Obegolu SAN, the Chairman of the AGCPC, has issued a public statement in response to the protest. Legal professionals across the country are watching closely, given the AGC’s importance to the Bar and the legal profession in Nigeria.
