The River State Governor-elect, Nyesom Wike, has debunked speculations that the absence of a substantive chief judge in the state would stall his inauguration on May 29.
Mr. Wike, who spoke through his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, blamed the All Progressives Congress, APC, for creating an impression that the state would run into a constitutional crisis.
“There is no constitutional crisis whatsoever. He is going to be sworn on May 29. These are issues being raised by the APC to confuse people,” Mr. Nwakaudu said told PREMIUM TIMES.
“There is an administrative judge in Rivers State as we speak as appointed by NJC. Even though the outgoing governor pretends not to recognise the administrative judge, the judge is still there. The administrative judge can still perform the function of the state chief judge.
“The Customary Court of Appeal in Rivers State also has an administrative judge that can also perform the functions of the chief judge.
“The constitution also talks about any other judicial officer as appointed by the NJC. The NJC can as well do that on May 29, so there is nothing to worry about.”
Mr. Nwakaudu insisted that the absence of a chief judge does not constitute a hindrance to the swearing in of the new governor.
He argued that the chief judge of any state in the country could be invited to administer oaths on the new governor and his deputy.
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