The political crisis in Rivers State deepened on Thursday as Chief Magistrate Ejike George tendered his resignation from the state judiciary, citing strong opposition to the appointment of a Sole Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.
In a letter dated April 11, 2025, and addressed to the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State via the Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission, Magistrate George described the current governance model as a “quasi-military administration” that poses a serious threat to democratic principles.
“This is intended to convey my decision to voluntarily retire my appointment as Magistrate of the Judiciary of Rivers State,” the letter read. “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, who has served 16 of his 22 years in legal practice within the Rivers State Judiciary, emphasized that the newly imposed system is “alien” and “antithetical” to the legal profession and democratic norms.
“Milord will agree with me that this type of governance system is not only alien but also runs antithetical to our hallowed profession as legal practitioners and adjudicators,” he stated.
He expressed deep concern that remaining in office under the current administration would amount to silently endorsing an undemocratic structure. “To do so would amount to a tacit and naive acquiescence,” he said.
George’s resignation marks a significant moment of dissent from within the judiciary itself, further fueling criticism from legal and civil society groups already unsettled by the Rivers State Government’s approach.
His departure closely follows the Nigerian Bar Association’s decision to relocate its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu. The NBA cited similar concerns—highlighting a disregard for the rule of law and the imposition of non-democratic governance mechanisms.
As tensions continue to rise, George’s exit underscores the widening rift between legal institutions and the Rivers State administration amid mounting national scrutiny.
