# 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 the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The state government is composed of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, whose powers are vested by the Constitution in the House of Assembly, the Governor and the High Court. The judiciary operates independently of the executive and the legislature. At the local level, elected officials are in charge of local government areas.

## Executive

The executive branch is headed by the Governor, assisted by the Deputy Governor, both elected. The governor appoints the heads of parastatals, state-owned bodies, judicial officers, permanent secretaries and members of the Executive Council with the exception of the deputy. The Civil Service is administered by the head of service, a career civil servant, with each ministry managed by a permanent secretary. The commissioner is responsible for policy, while the permanent secretary provides continuity and is responsible for operations.

### Governor

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. The governor 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, the bill automatically becomes law after 30 days if the governor does not sign the legislation.
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 the deputy governor. When the chief executive is unable to discharge their duties, the deputy governor assumes the office of Acting Governor until the governor resumes duty, or until election of a new governor.
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.

### Deputy Governor

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. The deputy governor 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. 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.

### Executive council

The executive council is currently made up of:
| Office | Incumbent | Term began |
| Governor | H.E Sir. Siminalayi Fubara DSSRS | 29 May 2023 |
| Deputy Governor | H.E Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu DSSRS | 29 May 2023 |
| Attorney General | Justice Dagogo Israel Iboroma, SAN | May 2024 |
| Secretary to the State Government | Tammy Danagogo | May 2019 |
| Chief of Staff | Hon. Edison Ehie | January 2024 |
| Head of Civil Service | Dr. George Nwaeke | - |
| Commissioner of Youth Development | Dr. Kenneth Chisom Gbali | — |
| Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement | Igonibo E. Thompson | February 2016 |
| Media and Publicity Special Adviser | — | — |
| Administrator (GPHCDA) | Desmond Akawor | June 2015 |
| Commissioner of Agriculture | Charles Nwogu | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning | Isaac Kamalu | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs | Sylvanus Nwankwo | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Commerce and Industry | — | — |
| Commissioner of Culture And Tourism | Tonye Briggs-Oniyide | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Education | Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Employment Generation and Empowerment | — | — |
| Commissioner of Energy and Natural resources | — | — |
| Commissioner of Environment | Roseline Konya | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Finance | Fred Kpakol | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Health | Princewill A. Chike | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Housing | Chinedu Tasie Nwabueze | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Information and Communications | Emmanuel Okah | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Justice | Emmanuel C. Aguma | July 2017 |
| Commissioner of Land and Survey | — | — |
| Commissioner of Local Government Affairs | Rodaford Longjohn | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Power | Shedrack Chukwu | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation | Damiete H. Miller | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Special Duties | Emeka Onowu | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Sports | Boma Iyaye | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Transport | Walter Ibibia | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Urban Development | — | — |
| Commissioner of Water Resources and Rural Development | Kaniye Ebeku | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Women Affairs | Ukel Oyaghiri | September 2017 |
| Commissioner of Works | Dum Dekor | September 2017 |

### Ministries

| Ministry | Notes | Website |
| Agriculture | Regulates and formulates agricultural sector-related policies | http://rsmoa.gov.ng Archived 2015-04-15 at the Wayback Machine |
| Budget and Economic Planning | Concerned with economic priorities and programmes of the government | |
| Chieftaincy and Community Affairs | Handles chieftaincy and community-related affairs | |
| Commerce and Industry | Deals with commerce, industry and cooperative matters | |
| Culture and Tourism | Develops and implements policies on culture and tourism | |
| Education | Directs education in Rivers State | http://ministryofeducationriversstate.com.ng Archived 2015-11-24 at the Wayback Machine |
| Employment Generation and Empowerment | Employment provision and empowerment | https://web.archive.org/web/20141218211651/http://riversjobs.gov.ng/ |
| Energy and Natural Resources | Monitors, controls and regulates energy and natural resources-related activities | |
| Environment | Oversees the environment in Rivers State | |
| Finance | Manages, controls and monitors state revenues and expenditures | |
| Health | Facilitates the provision of health services | http://riversstatemoh.gov.ng |
| Housing | | |
| Information and Communications | Regulates broadcasting and print media | |
| Justice | Administers justice. Headed by the Commissioner of Justice | |
| Lands and Survey | | |
| Local Government Affairs | Charged with local government and local administration | |
| Power | Charged with electrical energy and power | |
| Social Welfare and Rehabilitation | Implements programmes and provides social, rehabilitative services | |
| Special Duties | Manages disasters and emergencies | |
| Sports | | |
| Transport | Responsible for transport infrastructure | |
| Urban Development | Reviews and prepares physical development, urban renewal and transportation plans |
| Water Resources and Rural Development | Reviews and prepares physical development, urban renewal and transportation plans | https://web.archive.org/web/20150123112157/http://www.rvswaterministry.net/ |
| Women Affairs | Encourages the development of women | |
| Works | Responsible for socio-economic infrastructure | |
| Youth Development | Promotes youth empowerment and development | |

### Agencies and Parastatals

Agencies and parastatals, typically reporting to a ministry, include:
* 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

## Legislature

The Rivers State House of Assembly is the unicameral legislative body of the state government. It was established in 1979 by part II, section 84 of the Constitution of Nigeria, which states "There shall be a House of Assembly for each of the States of the Federation". Led by a Speaker, the House of Assembly consists of 32 members, each elected to four-year terms in single-member constituencies by plurality. Its primary responsibility is to create laws for the peace, order and effective government of the state.

### Powers

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.

### Current Representatives

The legislature consists of elected representatives from each constituency. As of June 12, 2015 they were:
| Constituency | Representative |
| Abua–Odual | Marshal Stanley-Uwom |
| Ahoada East I | Martyns Mannah |
| Ahoada East II | Ehie Edison |
| Ahoada West | Okpokiri Nwanaka |
| Akuku-Toru I | Major Jack |
| Akuku-Toru II | Tonye Alalibo |
| Andoni | Ikuinyi Owaji Ibani |
| Asari-Toru I | Enemi George |
| Asari-Toru II | Granville Wellington |
| Bonny | Abinye Pepple |
| Degema | Dagogo Farah |
| Eleme | Josiah Olu |
| Emohua | Ogeh Samuel |
| Etche I | Opurum Nwuzoma |
| Etche II | Tony Ejiogu |
| Gokana | Israel Ngbuelo Lebura |
| Ikwerre | Azubuike Wanjoku |
| Khana I | Deeyah Bariene |
| Khana II | Dinebari Loolo |
| Obio-Akpor I | Martins Amaewhule |
| Obio-Akpor II | Michael Okechukwu Chinda |
| Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni I | Christian Ahiakwo |
| Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni II | Uwaji Nathaniel |
| Ogu–Bolo | Evans Bapakaye Bipi |
| Okrika | Adams Dabotorudima |
| Omuma | Kelechi Godspower Nwogu |
| Opobo–Nkoro | Diri Kelly Adonye |
| Oyigbo | Chisom Promise Dike |
| Port Harcourt I | Ogbonda Jones Nwene |
| Port Harcourt II | Adoki Tonye Smart |
| Port Harcourt III | Victor Ihunwo Nyeche |
| Tai | Ngbar Sylvester Amuele |
| Clerk of the House | Mr. Alex E. Nwala |

## Judiciary

The administration of justice in Rivers State is one of the fundamental duties of the judiciary of the state. This branch of government explains and applies the laws by hearing and eventually making decisions on various legal cases. It has a regulatory or supervisory body known as the Judicial Service Commission, which takes care of appointment, promotion and disciplinary issues of the judiciary.
The Chief Judge of Rivers State is the appointed head of the judicial branch. The chief judge is also the most senior judge and presiding member of the High Court of Justice. Among other responsibilities, the chief judge has the ceremonial duty of administering the oath of office of the Governor of Rivers State. In modern tradition, the chief judge retires voluntarily at sixty years of age, or statutorily at sixty five.
Most appointments to the judiciary are made by the governor, but acting upon the recommendation of the National Judicial Council. At present, there are about 10 judicial divisions within the High Court of Justice, and about 26 judges carrying out their professional work.

## Local government

Local government areas handle local administration, under an elected chairman.
Rivers State is divided into twenty-three local government areas (LGAs):
| LGA Name | Area (km$^2$) | Census 2006 population | Administrative capital | Postal Code |
| Port Harcourt | 109 | 541,115 | Port Harcourt | 500 |
| Obio-Akpor | 260 | 464,789 | Rumuodomanya | 500 |
| Okrika | 222 | 222,026 | Okrika | 500 |
| Ogu–Bolo | 89 | 74,683 | Ogu | 500 |
| Eleme | 138 | 190,884 | Ogale, Nchia | 501 |
| Tai | 159 | 117,797 | Sakpenwa | 501 |
| Gokana | 126 | 228,828 | Kpor | 501 |
| Khana | 560 | 294,217 | Bori | 502 |
| Oyigbo | 248 | 122,687 | Afam | 502 |
| Opobo–Nkoro | 130 | 151,511 | Opobo Town | 503 |
| Andoni | 233 | 211,009 | Ngo | 503 |
| Bonny | 642 | 215,358 | Bonny | 503 |
| Degema | 1,011 | 249,773 | Degema | 504 |
| Asari-Toru | 113 | 220,100 | Buguma | 504 |
| Akuku-Toru | 1,443 | 156,006 | Abonnema | 504 |
| Abua–Odual | 704 | 282,988 | Abua | 510 |
| Ahoada West | 403 | 249,425 | Akinima | 510 |
| Ahoada East | 341 | 166,747 | Ahoada | 510 |
| Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni | 969 | 284,010 | Omoku | 510 |
| Emohua | 831 | 201,901 | Emohua | 511 |
| Ikwerre | 655 | 189,726 | Isiokpo | 511 |
| Etche | 805 | 249,454 | Okehi | 512 |
| Omuma | 170 | 100,366 | Eberi | 512 |