The Governor of Rivers State is the
chief executive
A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a central executive officer (CEO), chief administrator officer (CAO) or just chief executive (CE), is one of a number of corporate executives charged with the management of an organization especially ...
of the
Rivers State
Rivers State, also known as Rivers, is a state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria (Old Eastern Region). Formed in 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Rivers State borders include: Imo to the north, Abia and Akwa Ib ...
government and is one of the
governors of the thirty-six states of Nigeria. The governor is supported by the
Deputy Governor, both popularly elected for a term of four years (maximum of two terms). The governor, as head of the
executive branch
The Executive, also referred as the Executive branch or Executive power, is the term commonly used to describe that part of government which enforces the law, and has overall responsibility for the governance of a State (polity), state.
In poli ...
, has the power to appoint commissioners responsible for each of the state's
ministries
Ministry may refer to:
Government
* Ministry (collective executive), the complete body of government ministers under the leadership of a prime minister
* Ministry (government department), a department of a government
Religion
* Christian mi ...
, the heads of
parastatals
A state-owned enterprise (SOE) is a government entity which is established or nationalised by the ''national government'' or ''provincial government'' by an executive order or an act of legislation in order to earn profit for the governmen ...
, judicial officers and the state-owned bodies with specific regulatory or administrative duties. They cannot be a member of the state House of Assembly.
History
![Gov House PH](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Gov_House_PH.jpg)
Since achieving statehood in 1967, fifteen individuals have held the power to govern Rivers State, a majority of whom were military officers.
Alfred Diete-Spiff
Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff (born 30 July 1942) was the first Military Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria after it was created from part of the old Eastern Region, Nigeria. He held office from May 1967 until July 1975 during the military administr ...
, a navy commander and member of the Supreme Military Council, served as the first military governor of the state, after it was created from part of the
old Eastern Region, Nigeria. He held office from May 1967 until July 1975 during the administration of
General Yakubu Gowon and is the state's only military governor to serve two consecutive four-year terms.
In October 1979,
Melford Okilo
Melford Obiene Okilo (30 November 1933 – 5 July 2008) had a long and distinguished career as a politician in Nigeria from the start of independence in 1960 until shortly before his death in 2008.
He was a member of parliament (1956–1964) and ...
became the first elected Governor of Rivers State and ruled until December 1983.
More recently, two governors in the state's history have served two consecutive terms. They are:
Peter Odili
Peter Otunuya Odili (born 15 August 1948) was the third Governor of Rivers State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. Odili is a member of the former ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).
Background
Peter Odili was born on 15 August 19 ...
(1999–2007) and
Chibuike Amaechi
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (born 27 May 1965) is a Nigerian politician, he served as the Federal Minister of Transportation of Nigeria from 2015 to 2022 under the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari. He resigned to contest for Nigeria's presidency ...
(2007–2015). Rivers State's shortest-serving governor was
Celestine Omehia who served only five months in office before the Supreme Court annulled his election on 25 October 2007.
Election and qualification
The governor and deputy governor are directly elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms, and are limited to two consecutive terms, for a total of eight years.
Qualifications required for an individual aspiring to become the Governor of Rivers State is contained in section 177 of the
1999 Constitution. According to the constitution, an individual may become governor if they meet the following eligibility criteria:
*at least thirty-five (35) years of age;
*a citizen of Rivers State by birth;
*a member of a political party with endorsement by that political party;
*School Certificate level or its equivalent.
Powers and functions
Executive powers
Most
executive power
The Executive, also referred as the Executive branch or Executive power, is the term commonly used to describe that part of government which enforces the law, and has overall responsibility for the governance of a state.
In political systems ba ...
lies with the governor whose responsibility is to enforce state laws. They serve as the
head of government
The head of government is the highest or the second-highest official in the executive branch of a sovereign state, a federated state, or a self-governing colony, autonomous region, or other government who often presides over a cabinet, a gro ...
with supreme authority over the
Executive Council. Excluding the deputy governor, they appoint commissioners, heads of government agencies, special advisers and judicial officers subject to the
House
A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air condi ...
's
approval. The governor has the duty to attract investments, promote business and implement political as well as economic initiatives.
Legislative powers
Under the Constitution, every
bill
Bill(s) may refer to:
Common meanings
* Banknote, paper cash (especially in the United States)
* Bill (law), a proposed law put before a legislature
* Invoice, commercial document issued by a seller to a buyer
* Bill, a bird or animal's beak
Plac ...
passed by the House of Assembly must be presented to the governor for approval before it becomes law. The governor may choose to sign it and make it law,
veto
A veto is a legal power to unilaterally stop an official action. In the most typical case, a president or monarch vetoes a bill to stop it from becoming law. In many countries, veto powers are established in the country's constitution. Veto ...
it and return it to the House, or take no action, however. If they veto the bill, a
two-thirds majority 2/3 may refer to:
* A fraction with decimal value 0.6666...
* A way to write the expression "2 ÷ 3" ("two divided by three")
* 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines of the United States Marine Corps
* February 3
* March 2
Events Pre-1600
* 537 – ...
of the House may override it, and the bill will become law without the governor's signature. If the governor does not act, the bill will automatically become law after a 30-day period.
Judicial powers
Judicial officers are appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the
National Judicial Council subject to confirmation of the appointment by the Rivers State House of Assembly. Should a vacancy arise in the office of the
Chief Judge
A chief judge (also known as presiding judge, president judge or principal judge) is the highest-ranking or most senior member of a lower court or circuit court with more than one judge. According to the Federal judiciary of the United States, th ...
or the President of the
Customary Court of Appeal
The Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal is a court of justice of second instance that has appellate and supervisory jurisdiction over matters of customary law in Rivers State. It is presided over by a president assisted by a number of judges as ...
, the governor can appoint the next most senior judge of those courts to act for a period of three months.
Section 212, subsection (1) and (2) further empowers the chief executive to issue
pardons and reprieves, commute sentences, or remit
fines Fines may refer to:
* Fines, Andalusia, Spanish municipality
* Fine (penalty)
* Fine, a dated term for a premium on a lease of land, a large sum the tenant pays to commute (lessen) the rent throughout the term
*Fines, ore or other products with a s ...
and
forfeitures imposed for the commission of offenses against, or for the violation of the state laws. Such authority must be exercised on the advice of the Rivers State Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, and should not be wielded independently.
Oath of office
Governors take the following oath:
I do solemnly swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that as the Governor of Rivers State, I will discharge my duties to the best of my ability, faithfully and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law, and always in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will strive to preserve the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will exercise the authority vested in me as governor so as not to impede or prejudice the authority lawfully vested in the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and so as not to endanger the continuance of federal government in Nigeria; that I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions; that I will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will abide by the Code of Conduct contained in the Fifty Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will; that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as Governor of Rivers State, except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as governor; and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of Nigeria. So help me God.
Gubernatorial removal
Although a governor is normally elected to serve a complete four-year term during the national elections, in exceptional cases, before a term of such four years expires, the officeholder may be replaced or removed as the case may be, through death, impeachment or if an election is annulled by a competent court of law or by a two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly.
Latest election
See also
*
List of Governors of Rivers State by time in office
*
Government of Rivers State
The Government of Rivers State consists of elected representatives and appointed officials responsible for the government of Rivers State, Nigeria. Rivers State has a population of about 5 million people, and is one of the 36 states that make up t ...
References
External links
Official site of Governor's office
{{Rivers State
1979 establishments in Nigeria
1970s establishments in Rivers State
Executive Council of Rivers State