I Won’t Take Orders From A Soldier!” – Ex-Magistrate Blasts Rivers Military Administrator See Reason

Ejike George, a former Chief Magistrate in Rivers State, has explained the reasons behind his resignation from the state judiciary.

On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, following the declaration of a state of emergency. The move also saw the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the state House of Assembly, in accordance with Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as Tinubu cited growing political tensions in the state.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 17, 2025, George criticized President Tinubu’s decision, arguing that there was no real political crisis in Rivers State to justify the suspension of the state leadership and the imposition of military-style governance.

George stated that his resignation was based on his inability to accept directives from a military administrator, something he was unprepared for. He emphasized that, as a magistrate, his role required him to take instructions from civilian leaders, particularly the Chief Judge of Rivers State and the elected governor, who acted as the state’s chief security officer.

He explained, “It’s not fair to the people of Rivers State. I simply cannot take instructions from a military administrator. In my 16 years with the Rivers State Judiciary, I have only taken direction from civilian leaders. Adapting to military rule is something I cannot do.”

George further noted that the judiciary had never trained its members to work under military administrators, adding, “Until such training is provided, I don’t know how my colleagues would cope with this situation. For me, I couldn’t stay silent on this issue, so I decided to resign and seek other opportunities.”