# Governor of Bayelsa State

The Governor of Bayelsa State functions as both the chief security officer and the chief executive of the state government. As one of the governors of Nigeria’s thirty-six states, the governor and the deputy governor are elected by popular vote for a four-year term, with a maximum of two terms.
Acting as the head of the executive branch, the governor has the authority to appoint or remove commissioners in charge of various state ministries, as well as the heads of parastatals and state-owned agencies responsible for regulatory and administrative duties. Judicial appointments are also made by the governor, based on recommendations from the State Judicial Service Commission. The governor is constitutionally prohibited from being a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
As the highest-ranking official within the executive branch, the Governor of Bayelsa State wields considerable influence over the administration of the state. Similar to other presidential systems, the governor serves as both the head of government and the head of state. The governor presides over the State Executive Council and has the power to appoint, dismiss, or reappoint its members, excluding the deputy governor, at their discretion. Additionally, the governor may sign bills passed by the State House of Assembly into law or veto them. However, if the governor neither signs nor vetoes a bill within 30 days, it automatically becomes law.
The Bayelsa State House of Assembly can override the governor’s veto with a two-thirds majority vote, and the same majority is required to initiate the impeachment of either the governor or the deputy governor. In instances where the governor is unable to perform their duties, the deputy governor assumes the role of Acting Governor until the governor resumes or a new governor is elected.
Since its creation in 1996, Bayelsa State has been governed by a total of 12 leaders, including both military administrators and civilian governors. As of 2024, the incumbent governor and 12th governor is Senator Douye Diri, who assumed office on February 14, 2020.

## History

The Office of the Governor of Bayelsa State was established on October 1, 1996, when Bayelsa State was created from Rivers State during the regime of General Sani Abacha. By 2024, twelve individuals had governed the state, including military officers. The first person to govern Bayelsa was Naval Captain Phillip Oladipo Ayeni, who held the position for about five months, from October 7, 1996, to February 25, 1997. The first democratically elected governor of the state was Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who served from May 29, 1999, to December 9, 2005.
On December 9, 2005, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha became the first governor to be impeached by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly due to corruption charges, marking a significant event in the state's political history. He was later pardoned by the 14th President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, GCON.

## 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, as amended. According to the constitution, an individual may become governor if they meet the following eligibility criteria:
* at least thirty (30) years of age;
* a citizen of Bayelsa 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 lies with the governor whose responsibility is to enforce state laws. The governor serves as the head of government 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 approval of the Bayelsa state house of assembly. The governor has the duty to attract investments, promote business, secure the lives and property of residents and implement political as well as economic initiatives.

### Legislative powers

The Bayelsa State House of Assembly holds the power to override the governor’s veto with a two-thirds majority vote, a requirement that also applies to initiating the impeachment of the governor or deputy governor. According to the Nigerian Constitution, every bill passed by the House must be presented to the governor for approval before it can become law. The governor may either sign the bill into law or veto it and return it to the House of Assembly for correction or take no action.
If vetoed, the House can override the decision with a two-thirds majority, enacting the bill without the governor’s signature. Alternatively, if the governor takes no action, the bill automatically becomes law after 30 days. In situations where the governor is unable to perform their duties, the deputy governor assumes the role of Acting Governor until the governor resumes office or a new governor is elected.

### Judicial powers

Judicial officers are appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the Bayelsa State Judicial Service Commission subject to confirmation of the appointment by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. Should a vacancy arise in the office of the Chief Judge or the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, 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 Governor to issue pardons and reprieves, commute sentences, or remit fines 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 Bayelsa State Committee on 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 Bayelsa 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 Fifth 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 elected to serve a complete four-year term during the gubernatorial 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, or if an election is annulled by a competent court of law or impeachment by a two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly.