Port Harcourt, Rivers State – Chief Magistrate Ejike George don resign from Rivers State Judiciary on April 11, 2025, due to serious concerns about the recent appointment of a Sole Administrator to run the state affairs. Ejike George, after 16 years of service, describe the situation as ‘quasi-military administration’ and alarming.
For the letter wey George write, he state am clear say the governance style wey dey unfold no match the principles of democracy wey e stand for. In his words, he say, “This difficult and regrettable decision is informed largely by my discomfort with the recent appointment of a quasi-military administration to run the affairs of a modern state like ours.”
George express worry over the influence wey this new governance go have on the legal profession. E talk say, “This type of governance system is not only alien but also runs antithetical to our hallowed profession as legal practitioners and adjudicators.”
During his tenure, George serve for 16 years out of the 22 years of his legal practice as magistrate under various democratically elected governments. E clarify say to continue under the current arrangement go mean e dey accept something wey no agree with him conscience. “Having put in a whopping 16 (sixteen) out of my 22 (twenty-two) years of legal practice into this Judiciary as Magistrate, I find it difficult to work with the current setting, as doing so would amount to a tacit and naive acquiescence,” he noted.
This resignation join other reactions wey don dey surface since President Bola Tinubu declare state of emergency for Rivers State on March 18, 2025, due to increasing political crisis and vandalization of oil facilities. Tinubu also suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly, appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the Sole Administrator.
Political observers dey raise alarm as the appointment of a Sole Administrator goes against the principles of democratic governance. George’s departure from the judiciary highlights the rising discontent among legal professionals and the civil society concerning the current administrative approach in Rivers State.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) recently withdraw their annual conference from Port Harcourt, citing the new political direction and governance. Such actions dey show the growing unease among practitioners as dem dey call for restoring the rule of law and proper democratic governance.
As tension rise within the state, many dey watch as the political landscape dey evolve and whether more legal practitioners go take similar steps to distance themselves from the current administration.
