The Nigerian Bar Association has expressed deep concerns over the controversies surrounding the scheduled local government elections in Rivers State.
In a statement jointly signed by Eight Branches Chairmen of the Association, the NBA called on all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and lawful electoral process.
The statement emphasized that local government elections are an integral part of Nigeria’s democratic process, as provided in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) [1).
The Chairmen advised Rivers indigenes and residents in the State to be peaceful and law abiding in the course of the elections.
Read Also: Court halts Chief Judge, Clerk of Rivers State from receiving impeachment notice
In view of the forthcoming elections in Rivers State, on behalf of the 8 Branches of the Nigeria Bar Association in the State, stated that Local Government Elections are part of the democratic process of the country as provided in the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), and therefore sanctioned by Law, noting that Local Government election in Rivers State is not an exception.
The statement reads “we all know, there are several Court Judgments on the Rivers State Local Government electoral issue which are already widely circulated in the social media.
Read Also: NAF Destroy 12 Illegal Refining Sites In Abia, Rivers
“Sadly, most of these Judgments are from Courts of coordinate jurisdiction and have been
subject to diverse interpretations.
“While we do not want to over flog the issues on ground, or stoke the embers already burning, we must reiterate that the Constitution of Nigeria is the grundnorm from which all Government agencies and institutions derive their validity and are bound to obey same.”
The Association also emphasized that any Law or Judgment that is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution is null and void, to the extent of its inconsistency.
It maintained that Security Agencies have the constitutional duty of maintaining law and order in the Country, stressing that if they choose to abdicate their Constitutional role, then it ridicules democracy and our Constitution.
The body of Chairmen posited, “As far as we can see, there is no legal impediment to the conduct of the Local Government elections in Rivers State and the NBA Branches in the State are participating in the process as Observers.
“It is trite that statutory bodies cannot be stopped from performing their Constitutional duties.
NBA Rivers therefore encouraged all residents of State who are registered voters to come out en masse and exercise their franchise.
The NBA Body of Chairmen Rivers State include:
Cordelia U. Eke Chairman Port Harcourt Branch,
Hilda Desmond-liekaire (Ph.D), Chairman Ahoada Branch, Simple Dioha, Esq.Chairman, Isiokpo Branch, Abiye A. Abc, Esq. Chairman, Degema Branch, Dr. N. A.Duson, Chairman, Bori Branch,
Dr. Celestine Nwankwo, Chairman, Okehi Branch, Tamurnosiki A. Roberts Esq. Chairman, Okrika Branch and FkeledinichukwuOrdu, Esq, Chairman, Omoku Branch.
