Rivers is entirely unknown to our sacred constitution, and the legitimacy appointment is being Contested— Barrister Dantani to Rivers Sole admin

Human rights activist Barrister Hamza Dantani, has warned the Rivers state sole administrator against cheap political stunts.

In an open letter to the military administrator, the renown human rights activist stated that Rivers state is entirely unknown to the Constitution, which verged on the legitimacy of his appointment as a sole administrator.

“Nevertheless and to ensure that your cheap public stunts never again impugn the integrity of the Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA), I must address your baseless claims directly and unequivocally.”
Hamza noted that ” The NBA and the Rule of Law
The NBA was established to champion the rule of law and to hold every government accountable
to its people. This fundamental mandate extends to every level of governance and every state,
even Rivers State. Our historical record shows that the NBA has not avoided confronting
powerful military dictators, even during military regimes. Our fearless stance in holding those in
power responsible remains unaltered, regardless of the theatrics of any so-called “sole
administrator.” We will never be cowered or silenced by your antics or any attempt to subvert
constitutional order.
Reaffirming Our Stand for Democratic Governance” he stated
” Let there be no misunderstanding: the actions of the NBA do not condemn the good people of
Rivers State. On the contrary, the NBA’s stance is a show of unequivocal support for the citizens
of Rivers State, whose people deserve to be led by their democratically elected officials. It is not
the people or the state that the NBA has discredited; the unconstitutional method has resulted in
your appointment. A sole administrator—a position with no constitutional basis—is a thinly
veiled attempt to bypass the will of the people of Rivers and undermine democratic governance.
The NBA will not shut its eyes to the same, as democracy ultimately dies when good people
refuse to speak up”

On the Matter of the AGC Venue and the must be stressed that the NBA’s decision to relocate its Annual General (AGC) from Port
Harcourt, Rivers State, to a State with a democratically elected government was not a
denunciation of Rivers State per se but a principled stand against condoning unconstitutional
practices. As is standard practice in organizing such conferences, the donation made by the
democratically elected governor of Rivers State was an unconditional act of support.
Such voluntary contributions are sought from governmental agencies whose budgets allocate
funds for corporate social responsibility and whose visions align with the NBA’s. Therefore, any
claim that seeks to demand a refund of that donation is both legally and ethically misplaced.
Only the democratically elected government that donated could, if it so chooses, call for its
refund, not someone occupying an unconstitutional role.
It is pertinent to mention that the NBA has previously hosted the AGC in Rivers state under a
democratically-elected government. So, the difference this time around is that the NBA will not
be bullied to participate in the lie that a sole administrator, a position unknown to the
Constitution, is legitimate. The motto of the NBA is “promoting the rule of law,” and hosting the
AGC in a state where the rule of law has been subverted is anathema to that mandate