Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has called on legal professionals to remain firm in defending the rule of law, constitutional democracy and the fundamental rights of citizens.
Fubara made the call while speaking at the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, held under the theme, “Beyond Limits.”
The governor described the legal system as a critical foundation for the relationship between government, public institutions and private organisations, stressing that the ultimate purpose of the law is to protect the security, welfare and wellbeing of citizens.
He said this could only be achieved by guaranteeing equality before the law, protecting fundamental human rights and creating an enabling environment for socio-economic activities and sustainable national development.
According to Fubara, societies achieve peace, order and meaningful progress when the law is respected as supreme. He warned that undermining the rule of law, democratic principles and good governance could result in social instability and disorder.
The governor also emphasised the importance of the judiciary, saying courts should not be regarded merely as places for settling disputes but as the ultimate refuge for citizens seeking justice and protection of their rights.
He urged judges to consider the broader implications of their decisions, noting that the delivery of justice with integrity has a direct impact on law and order, democratic stability and the pace of national development.
Fubara cautioned judges against becoming mere apologists or conformists, urging them instead to demonstrate courage and remain committed to their role 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,” the governor said.
He further charged lawyers to speak up whenever political power threatens to undermine the Constitution or the rule of law, stressing that the legal profession has a responsibility to prevent the abuse of power and safeguard democratic values.
According to him, the greatest responsibility of a lawyer is to possess the conscience, commitment and courage to speak truth to power while defending the rights and liberties of citizens.
Reflecting on his administration’s experience in Rivers State, Fubara said his government understands what it means to push beyond limits.
He said the administration had “walked through the furnace of power” but remained resolute in its determination to protect the unity, peace and progress of the state.
The governor said the experience had further strengthened his administration’s commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State.
Fubara also highlighted his administration’s efforts to strengthen the judiciary, revealing that over the past three years, the government had worked with the State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, to expand access to justice through the appointment of additional judges and the establishment of more courts.
He disclosed that the state government had constructed a facility for the Federal High Court, which he said would soon be handed over to the Federal High Court authorities.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the administrative and financial autonomy of the judiciary in Rivers State.
He added that deliberate measures had also been taken to improve the security and welfare of judges, stressing that a strong, independent and effective judiciary was indispensable to the sustenance of democracy and good governance.