The leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said that its members will be participating fully as observers in the 5th October, 2024 Local Government election in Rivers State because there is no legal impediment against it.
Their position was contained in a communique, signed by all eight chairmen of the Branches of NBA in Rivers State, which was read to newsmen at the Conference Hall of NBA Building in Port Harcourt on Friday.
The Chairperson of Port Harcourt Branch of NBA, Cordelia U. Eke, who read the communique on behalf of the other chairmen, said it is trite that statutory bodies cannot be stopped from performing their Constitutional duties.
Eke said that Local Government elections are part of the democratic process of Nigeria as provided for in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
She emphasised that because it is sanctioned by law, the Local Government election in Rivers State cannot be an exception.
Eke insisted: “In view of the forthcoming elections in Rivers State, on behalf of the eight Branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in the State, we wish to state as follows:
“As we all know, there are several court judgments on the Rivers State Local Government Election issue which are already widely
circulated in the social media.
“Sadly, most of these judgments are from courts of coordinate jurisdiction, and have been subject to diverse interpretations.”
Eke stated that they do not want to over-flog the issues that are on ground already or stoke the embers that are already burning.
She, however, said it was imperative to 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.
“We also emphasize that any law or judgment that is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution, is null and void, to the extent of its inconsistency.
“Security agencies have the constitutional duty of maintaining law and order in the country, but if they choose to abdicate their constitutional role, then, it ridicules our democracy and our Constitution.”
The chairperson of Port Harcourt Branch of NBA, therefore, encouraged all residents of Rivers State, who are registered voters to go out on Election Day and exercise their franchise.
She said as the leadership of NBA in Rivers State, they are also advising Rivers indigenes and residents in the State to be peaceful and law abiding in the course of the election process.
The NBA chapter chairmen present, who also signed the communique include, the Chairman, Isiokpo Branch, Simple Dioha; Chairman, Ahoada Branch, Dr Hilda Desmond-Liekaire; Chairman of Degema Branch, Abiye A. Abe; the Chairman, Bori Branch, Dr. N. A..Dusorn; Chairman, Okehi Branch, Dr. Cełestine Nwankwo; the Chairman, Okrika Branch, Tamunosiki A. Roberts; and the Chairman, Omoku Branch, Ekeledinichukwu Ordu.
NBA Media Team
Port Harcourt
Rivers State
Friday, October 4, 2024.