Government of Rivers State

As the highest ranking-official in the executive, the Governor of Rivers State wields significant influence in matters relating to the governance of the state. As in most presidential systems, the governor is both the head of government and head of state. He or she is empowered by the Constitution to preside over the Executive Council, as well as to appoint, dismiss or reappoint its members–excluding the deputy governor–at will. In addition the governor may sign legislation passed by the House into law or may veto it, however, if he or she does not make a decision to sign or veto a bill, it automatically becomes law after 30 days.

A vote by a two-thirds majority in the House can overrule the governor. The same vote is required to initiate an impeachment process of the governor or his deputy. In all cases where the chief executive is unable to discharge his or her duties, the deputy governor assumes the office of Acting Governor until the governor resumes duty, or until election of a new one.[1]

Since achieving statehood, Rivers State has had a total of 6 governors. Four of the former governors are still alive while only one has died. The longest serving governor is Peter Odili, a physician by profession. He spent 2,923 days in office.

The position of Deputy Governor of Rivers State constitutes the vice-head of state and government, created when the federation returned to civilian authority under the Second Republic. Whoever holds the post is considered the second highest official in the executive branch. He or she is also seen as the first official in line to succeed the Governor of Rivers State, should that office be vacated.

The deputy governor is elected concurrently on a ticket with the governor for a term of four years renewable once. The annual salary for the office as of 2009 is ₦2,112,215.[2] Physician Ipalibo Banigo is the first woman to hold the position since it was established. Banigo, formerly a civil servant in the Ministry of Health, was chosen by governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike to be his running mate in the 2015 election.[3]

The executive council is currently made up of:[4]

Agencies and parastatals, typically reporting to a ministry, include:[5]

• Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Agency
• Road Traffic Management Authority
• Rivers State University of Science and Technology
• Rivers State Television Authority
• Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency
• Rivers State Polytechnic
• Rivers State Newspaper Corporation
• Rivers State Microfinance Agency
• Housing and Property Development Authority
• Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology
• Rivers State College of Arts and Science
• Rivers State University of Education
• Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation
• Rivers State Agricultural Development Programme
• Universal Basic Education Board
• Senior Secondary Schools Board
• Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board
• Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board
• Local Government Service Commission
• Rivers State Waste Management Authority

There are numerous powers the Constitution expressly and specifically granted to the House of Assembly as they are necessary for its relevance. These include the powers to approve budget estimates presented to it by the executive; to make laws establishing the chargeable rates and the procedure to be used in assessing and collecting the rates charged by each local government council; confirm gubernatorial appointments, oversee and monitor activities of government agencies, review policy implementation strategies of the executive, summon before it and question a commissioner about the conduct of his or her ministry especially when the affairs of that ministry are under consideration and to initiate impeachment proceeding in order to secure the removal of the governor or the deputy.

The legislature consists of elected representatives from each constituency. As of June 12, 2015 they were:[6]