Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi on Monday told African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore to close his mouth during a heated exchange at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt.
The exchange occurred during a presidential aspirants’ session at the conference, where Amaechi was speaking about his achievements.
Sowore reportedly attempted to interrupt Amaechi while he was making his remarks, prompting the former governor to respond.
Amaechi said, “Where are Rivers lawyers, let them take Sowore around and show him what I did as a former Governor. Moreover, Sowore when politicians are talking, close your mouth.”
Amaechi, who served as governor of Rivers State for two terms between 2007 and 2015, was representing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at the conference.
The former governor had earlier arrived at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, the venue of the NBA conference, ahead of the session themed “Politics, People, and Nigeria’s Future: Forget the Slogans.”
His appearance came as the ADC prepares for the 2027 general election, with Atiku and Amaechi already listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
Amaechi’s political career in Rivers State spans several years. He served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly before becoming governor in 2007. He completed two terms in office before leaving the state government in 2015.
After leaving office as governor, Amaechi was appointed Minister of Transportation by former President Muhammadu Buhari. He remained in the federal cabinet until 2022, when he resigned to pursue his presidential ambition.
INEC published the personal particulars and nomination documents submitted by Atiku and Amaechi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The documents, contained in Form EC9, were published pursuant to Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the electoral commission to make the personal particulars of nominated candidates available for public scrutiny.
The documents showed that Atiku submitted details of his educational background, work history and other credentials as the ADC presidential candidate.
Amaechi’s own documents showed that he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Port Harcourt in 1983.
Meanwhile, the NBA conference is taking place following the emergence of Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, as president of the association.
Badejo-Okusanya won the NBA’s 2026 presidential election after defeating Lateef Akangbe, SAN, and Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN.
She secured 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the total votes cast, while Akangbe received 7,934 votes and Akinboro polled 5,855 votes.
Following her victory, the new NBA president pledged to lead the association with integrity, courage, fairness and accountability.
“I am truly humbled by the confidence that members of the Nigerian Bar Association have reposed in me by electing me to serve as your President,” she said.
She also urged lawyers to put the election behind them and work together to advance the profession and defend justice and the rule of law.
“The election is over. We are one Bar, united by a common commitment to the advancement of our profession and the defence of justice and the rule of law,” she said.
Badejo-Okusanya further promised to prioritise the welfare of lawyers.
She said, “I pledge to lead with integrity, courage, humility, fairness, and accountability. I will be a President for every member of the Nigerian Bar Association. Together, we will build an Association where every lawyer has the opportunity to earn better, live better, and practise better.”
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