The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke, has directed the Chief Justice of Bayelsa State to swear-in the Governor-elect of Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Wike on May 29, 2015.
This is as a result of the existing vacuum in the office of the Chief Judge of Rivers State as well as the President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Rivers State.
According to a press release signed by the Attorney-General, the directive has become imperative in order to avert a likely constitutional crisis in Rivers State on May 29, when the Governor-elect, is expected to be sworn as Governor of Rivers State.
He added that his directive is in accordance with section 185(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, which provides that “The Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office shall be administered by the Chief Judge of the State or Grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the State, if any, or President of the Customary Court of Appeal of the State, if any, or the person for the time being respectively appointed to exercise the functions of any of those offices in any State.”
He urged the Government and People of Rivers State to take note of this development and appreciate the fact that the invitation extended to the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State to administer the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the Governor-elect of Rivers State on May 29, 2015 is in accordance with the Constitution and should therefore be respected by all and sundry.
