Fall Out Of 2011 NBA Conference: ACN Challenges Amaechi On Rule Of Law

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State may have largely succeeded in drawing the ire of lawyers in Nigeria who convened in Port Harcourt for the 2011 conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) when he accused them of having frolicked with a president who violated the rule of law.

Not only the lawyers, however rose to the challenge from the host governor of the conference. The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Rivers State chapter also found it incredible that the governor would attempt to battle the legal practitioners on issues pertaining to the rule of law when there are thousand and one instances of violation of the rule of law by him in Rivers State.

The party, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Jerry Needam said Governor Amaechi should not be the one condemning people for allegedly violating the rule of law but should rather be hiding himself from the searchlight of the NBA which chose for the theme of this year's conference, “Good governance and the rule of law”.

The ACN stated that, in actual fact the Rivers State governor does not have to his credit a single instance where he has obeyed the rule of law, having disobeyed virtually all court orders against him and his administration.

The party cited numerous instances, including the re-instatement of the former elected chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, which was ordered by a judge in the state, noting that, to enable him have his way against the rule of law, Governor Amaechi dissolved the council few days after the judgment, and relieved the chairman of his position.

The party revealed that Governor Amaechi against the rule of law sacked elected local government council chairmen of Okrika and Andoni.

Another clear instance cited by the ACN is the judgment order issued by Justice B.A Georgewill against the Rivers State Hospitals management Board nullifying the stoppage and non-payment of the salaries of some of its staff.

Also cited is the demolition of Bundu Waterfront which went ahead against the rule of law and left many souls dead or injured in the process, as well as several other demolition exercises, especially at Njemanze and Abonnema Wharf, and on personal properties in several parts of Port Harcourt.

“The inauguration of the Boards of the Rivers State Social services contributory law, the State Public Private Partnership and Procurement Laws amongst several others, are also examples of cases government acted against the rule of law” ACN said.

The party, in clear terms described the Rivers State governor as the worst violator of the rule of law and who, as a result does not have the moral basis to condemn alleged violators of the rule of law.

Signed
Jerry Needam, JP
Publicity Secretary
Action Congress of Nigeria
Rivers State
Thursday, August 25, 2011