Elections in Rivers State

Last updated

Elections in Rivers State are supervised and conducted by two major electoral bodies, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). There are 23 local government areas, 319 electoral wards and 4442 polling units in the state. [1] Elections for Governor and the House of Assembly are held every four years, along with federal elections for President and the National Assembly.

Contents

Rivers State organizes elections into its local governments through the State Independent Electoral Commission. Each local government area is governed by a local government council under an elected Chairman or Mayor. [2]

Voting eligibility

All citizens 18 years old or above who are residents of Rivers State and live in the ward or local government area where they intend to vote, and have not been rendered unqualified by law may vote. In order to actually vote, citizens are required to register before election day. [3]

In January 2015, the Independent National Electoral Commission recorded a total of 2,537,590 registered voters in Rivers State, Nigeria. [4]

Electoral system

Governor

The Governor and Deputy Governor are elected through popular vote on the same ticket for a term of four years. They may be re-elected for a second term but may not serve for more than two consecutive terms.

Legislature

The House of Assembly consists of 32 members, each elected to four-year terms in single-member constituencies by plurality. The qualified members in turn elect a Speaker, whose primary responsibility is to preside over the House. In carrying out his or her official duties, the Assembly Speaker is assisted by an elected Deputy Speaker, who basically serves as the vice-presiding officer of the House. [5]

Constituencies

  • Abua–Odual
  • Ahoada East I
  • Ahoada East II
  • Ahoada West
  • Akuku-Toru I
  • Akuku-Toru II
  • Andoni
  • Asari-Toru I
  • Asari-Toru II
  • Bonny
  • Degema
  • Eleme
  • Emohua
  • Etche I
  • Etche II
  • Gokana
  • Ikwerre
  • Khana I
  • Khana II
  • Obio-Akpor I
  • Obio-Akpor II
  • Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni I
  • Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni II
  • Ogu–Bolo
  • Okrika
  • Omuma
  • Opobo–Nkoro
  • Oyigbo
  • Port Harcourt I
  • Port Harcourt II
  • Port Harcourt III
  • Tai

Federal elections

Elections occur quadrennially in which riverian voters will directly elect 16 representatives to the Nigerian National Assembly. Those chosen are grouped into 3 senators representing Rivers South East, Rivers West, Rivers East and 13 representatives representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro, Obio/Akpor, Oyigbo/Tai/Eleme, Port Harcourt II, Etche/Omuma, Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru, Okrika/Ogu/Bolo, Khana/Gokana, Port Harcourt I, Ahoada West/Egbema/Ndoni, Abua/Odual/Ahoada East, Ikwerre/Emohua, Degema/Bonny. [6]

Rivers State has voted PDP in the vast majority of elections since 1999. However, the state has been viewed as important in determining the presidential outcome. In 2011, Goodluck Jonathan won comfortably with 1.8 million votes, the highest total gained subnationally that year. [7] His victory was expected considering ruling party's influence on political life at the time. In 2015, Jonathan was again preferred, though, achieved less than his previous record. [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rivers State</span> State of Nigeria

Rivers State, also known as Rivers, is a state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria. Formed in 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Rivers State borders include: Imo to the north, Abia and Akwa Ibom to the east, and Bayelsa and Delta to the west. The State capital, Port Harcourt, is a metropolis that is considered to be the commercial center of the Nigerian oil industry.

Ahoada is a city in Orashi Region of Rivers State, Nigeria, located northwest of Port Harcourt. In Ahoada, the Ekpeye language is majorly spoken, though there are other languages in Ahoada like: Engenni, Ogba, Ukwu Ani and Ikwere.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nigerian National Assembly delegation from Rivers</span> Rivers State federal legislators

The Nigerian National Assembly delegation from Rivers comprises three Senators representing Rivers East, Rivers West, Rivers South East and thirteen Representatives representing Degema/Bonny, Okrika/Ogu-Bolo, Asalga/Akulga, Ahoada West/Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Port Harcourt 1, Ikwerre/Emohua, Khana/Gokana, Etche/Omuma, Tai/Eleme/Oyigbo, Abua-Odual/Ahoada East, Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt 2, Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rivers State House of Assembly</span> Legislative arm of a state government in Nigeria

Rivers State House of Assembly is the legislative branch of the Government of Rivers State inaugurated in 1979. It is a unicameral body with 32 members elected into 32 state constituencies. The current Speaker of the State Assembly is Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule,

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ikwerre people</span> Igbo subgroup in Nigeria

The Ikwerre is one of the Igbo Subgroups in Rivers State. They are the largest ethnic group in Rivers state. Traditional history has classified Ikwerre into seven groups called "Ikwerre Essa". They are Elele, Isiokpo, Rumuji, Emohua, Choba, Aluu, Igwuruta and Obio group. This division was recognized by Forde and Jones; (1950) in their ethnographic study of the Igboid speaking peoples of Eastern Nigeria. It was also in line with this grouping those seven customary Courts were established in Ikwerre during the Colonial administration. These Courts were located at Elele, Isiokpo, Umuji, Emohua, Choba, Aluu and Obio in Ikwerreland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obio-Akpor</span> LGA in Rivers State, Nigeria

Obio-Akpor is a local government area in the metropolis of Port Harcourt, one of the major centres of economic activities in Nigeria, and one of the major cities of the Niger Delta, located in Rivers State, with industries and companies like Pabod Breweries, Coca-Cola Company, Indomie Company and Portharcourt Electricity Distribution Plc. The local government area covers 260 km2 (100 sq mi) and at the 2006 Census held a population of 464,789. Its postal code or ZIP code is 500102. Obio-Akpor has its headquarters at Rumuodomaya and it is peopled by the Ikwerre. Obio-Akpor is also known for fisheries and aquaculture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nyesom Wike</span> Nigerian politician and lawyer (born 1967)

Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is a Nigerian politician and lawyer who has served as the minister of the Federal Capital Territory since 2023. He previously served as the governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023. He is an Ikwerre from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor, Rivers State. He is a member of the People's Democratic Party and was educated at Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

The Judiciary of Rivers State is a branch of the Government of Rivers State that has sole authority and responsibility for the interpretation and application of the state's laws as well as the adjudication of disputes or controversies.

The following is a timeline of the governorship of Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, also known as the Wike administration, from his inauguration as Governor of Rivers State on 29 May 2015 to 29 May 2023.

Rivers West senatorial district is one of the three senatorial districts in Rivers State, Nigeria. It is currently represented by Betty Okagua Apiafi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Index of Rivers State–related articles</span>

The following is an alphabetical list of articles related to Rivers State, Nigeria.

Greater Port Harcourt is a metropolitan area currently under construction in Rivers State, Nigeria. It comprises the local government areas of Port Harcourt, Oyigbo, Okrika, Ogu–Bolo, Obio-Akpor, Ikwerre, Etche and Eleme. It covers an area of approximately 1,900 km² (734 mi²) and as of 2009 had a population of 2 million people making it one of the largest metropolitan areas in Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of Rivers State</span> Overview of and topical guide to Rivers State

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Rivers State:

Godspower Umejuru Ake, was a politician in Rivers State, Nigeria. He was a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly and a Deputy Speaker. from 1979 to 1983, representing the constituency of Ahoada I for the National Party of Nigeria. He was the Special Adviser on Lands and Housing to Governor Peter Odili, a position he held from 1999 until 2007, and even combined this role with the position of the National Vice Chairman of the People's Democratic Party from 2004 to 2007. He became the third Chairman of the Rivers State People's Democratic Party in 2008 and served until 2013 when the High Court ordered him removed from office.

Benibo Frederick Anabraba is a politician in Rivers State, Nigeria. He is the Member of the Rivers State House of Assembly for Akuku-Toru II and current Minority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly. He was first elected to the House of Assembly in the 2011 general election as a member of the People's Democratic Party. He later switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress in an act of loyalty to Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election</span> 2023 gubernatorial election in Rivers State, Nigeria

The 2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election will take place on 18 March 2023, to elect the Governor of Rivers State, concurrent with elections to the Rivers State House of Assembly as well as twenty-seven other gubernatorial elections and elections to all other state houses of assembly. The election—which was postponed from its original 11 March date—will be held three weeks after the presidential election and National Assembly elections. Incumbent PDP Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term.

The 2019 Nigerian House of Representatives elections in Rivers State was held on February 23, 2019, to elect members of the House of Representatives to represent Rivers State, Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Nigerian presidential election in Rivers State</span>

The 2023 Nigerian presidential election in Rivers State will be held on 25 February 2023 as part of the nationwide 2023 Nigerian presidential election to elect the president and vice president of Nigeria. Other federal elections, including elections to the House of Representatives and the Senate, will also be held on the same date while state elections will be held two weeks afterward on 11 March.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Rivers State</span> 2023 Senate elections in Rivers

The 2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Rivers State will be held on 25 February 2023, to elect the 3 federal Senators from Rivers State, one from each of the state's three senatorial districts. The elections will coincide with the 2023 presidential election, as well as other elections to the Senate and elections to the House of Representatives; with state elections being held two weeks later. Primaries were held between 4 April and 9 June 2022.

References

  1. ↑ Isine, Ibanga (13 April 2015). "INEC declares Wike Governor-elect in Rivers amidst protest by APC, LP". Premium Times. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  2. ↑ Wigodo, Ike (29 April 2015). "RSIEC Begins Screening Of AdHoc Staff". The Tide . Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  3. ↑ "INEC Educates Nigerians On Election Procedure As They Vote Today". Doy News. 28 March 2015. Archived from the original on 14 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "Presidential Polls: States that may determine the winner". Vanguard. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015. The likely voting pattern in the presidential election, will for a long time dominate most post-election discourse. The number of registered voters in Rivers is 2,537,590
  5. ↑ Naku, Dennis (15 June 2015). "Rivers Assembly gets new Speaker, deputy". National Mirror. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ↑ "PDP clears National Assembly seats in Rivers State". Vanguard. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  7. ↑ "Polls: How Jonathan, Buhari will battle for votes". Vanguard. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  8. ↑ "Jonathan'll win Rivers by wide margin — Wike". Vanguard. 22 December 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.