Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has urged legal professionals to remain steadfast in defending the rule of law, constitutional democracy, and the fundamental rights of citizens.

Governor Fubara stated this at the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with the theme “Beyond Limits”.

He described the legal system as the foundation of the relationship between government, public institutions and private organisations, stressing that the ultimate purpose of law is to protect and advance the security and wellbeing of citizens.

According to him, this can be achieved by ensuring equality before the law, safeguarding fundamental human rights and creating an environment conducive to socio-economic activities and national development.

The governor noted that order, peace and meaningful human progress thrive where the law is treated as sovereign, warning that disregard for the sanctity of the rule of law, democracy and good governance could lead to social disorder.

He said the courts should not be viewed merely as venues for resolving disputes but as the ultimate refuge for citizens seeking justice.

Governor Fubara also urged judges to consider the wider implications of their judgments, noting that the quality of justice delivered with integrity has a direct connection with law and order and the pace of national development.

He advised judges not to become mere apologists or conformists, saying they must remain courageous as the ultimate 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.

Fubara further charged lawyers to demonstrate courage whenever political power attempts to overreach the Constitution and the rule of law, stressing that the legal profession has a responsibility to prevent the abuse of power and protect democratic values.

He said the greatest duty of a lawyer is to possess the conscience, commitment and courage to speak truth to power and defend the rights of citizens.

Speaking on his administration’s experience in Rivers State, the governor said his government understands what it means to push beyond limits.

He said the administration had “walked through the furnace of power,” but remains unbowed in its determination to safeguard the unity, peace and progress of the state.

Fubara said the experience had further strengthened his administration’s resolve to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

The governor also highlighted his administration’s contributions to the development of the judiciary, saying that in the past three years, his government had worked with the State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, to expand access to justice through the appointment of more judges and the establishment of additional courts.

He disclosed that the state government had also constructed a Federal High Court facility which, he said, would soon be handed over to the Federal High Court.

Fubara pledged his administration’s continued commitment to the administrative and financial autonomy of the judiciary in Rivers State.

He added that his government had taken deliberate steps to improve the security and welfare of judges, stressing that a strong and independent judiciary remained essential to sustaining democracy and good governance. (Channels)