Rivers State Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, has charged lawyers to rise above professional and establishment interests and defend the rights of citizens, constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
Fubara gave the charge on at the ongoing 2026 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, with the theme, “Beyond Limits.”
The Governor urged legal professionals not to become mere apologists or conformists, particularly when political power attempts to overreach the Constitution and established democratic principles.
He said the legal profession had a critical responsibility to prevent the abuse of power, protect fundamental rights and ensure that the law remained sovereign.
According to him, the legal system forms the foundation of the relationship between government, public institutions and private organisations, adding that the ultimate purpose of law is to protect and advance the security and wellbeing of citizens.
He said this could only be achieved through equality before the law, protection of fundamental human rights and the creation of an environment conducive to socio-economic activities and national development.
Fubara warned that disregard for the rule of law, democracy and good governance could lead to social disorder, stressing that peace, order and meaningful human progress could only thrive where the law was respected.
He also urged judges to consider the broader implications of their judgments, noting that the quality of justice delivered with integrity had a direct bearing on law and order and the pace of national development.
The Governor advised members of the judiciary not to become “mere apologists or conformists,” but to remain courageous as guardians of democracy and good governance.
“As a layman, I am compelled to agree with the description of lawyers as the subtle nerves of the nation’s spine,” he said.
Fubara further charged lawyers to demonstrate courage whenever political power sought to undermine the Constitution and the rule of law.
He said the greatest duty of a lawyer was to possess the conscience, commitment and courage to speak truth to power while defending the rights of citizens.
Reflecting on his administration’s experience in Rivers State, the Governor said his government understood what it meant to push beyond limits.
He said the administration had “walked through the furnace of power,” but remained determined to safeguard the unity, peace and progress of the state.
According to him, the experience had strengthened his administration’s resolve to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
The NBA conference has attracted prominent personalities from Nigeria and beyond, including former Liberian President George Weah, activist and politician Omoyele Sowore, social media personality and street mobiliser, Martins Otse alias VeryDarkMan, as well as former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi.
