Rivers crisis: Rep slams NBA, demands refund of N300m
A member of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, Solomon Bob, has tackled the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over its criticism of the recent state of emergency declared in Rivers State, accusing the association of hypocrisy, insincerity, and political bias.
He also demanded the immediate refund of N300 million allegedly paid by the state government to the NBA for its conference earlier scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt.
Bob said the association’s explanation that the N300 million was a “gift” from the state government was “unreasonable and unbecoming of a self-appointed ombudsman,” insisting that the money be returned.
The lawmaker’s scathing remarks followed a statement issued by the NBA on Thursday, April 10, in which the association condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s March 18 proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The lawmaker, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, justified the President’s action, citing the escalating crisis in Rivers State involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.
According to Bob, the situation had deteriorated to the point of widespread insecurity, including a renewed impeachment plot, destruction of petroleum infrastructure, and rising threats of violence, before the President intervened.
“The NBA cannot circumscribe or amend the clear, untrammelled and discretionary powers granted to the President by Section 305 of the Constitution,” Bob stated.
He said, “Neither is the NBA in a position to interpret or determine what measures qualify as extraordinary — which the President is required to adopt under the same section.”
He further argued that the NBA lacks the moral and constitutional standing to lecture the government on democratic standards, alleging that the association itself is undemocratic
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