Formation | 1979 |
---|---|
Jurisdiction | Rivers State |
Website | riversstate |
Legislative branch | |
Legislature | House of Assembly |
Meeting place | House of Assembly Complex |
Executive branch | |
Leader | Governor of Rivers State |
Appointer | Direct popular vote |
Headquarters | Government House |
Main organ | Executive Council |
Departments | 26 |
Judicial branch | |
Court | High Court |
Seat | Port Harcourt |
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.
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.
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. [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. 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. [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]
Position | Incumbent |
---|---|
Governor | Siminalayi Fubara |
Deputy Governor | Ipalibo Banigo |
Attorney General | Prof. Zaccheus Adangor |
Secretary to the State Government | Tammy Danagogo |
Chief of Staff | Chukwuemeka Woke |
Head of Service | Rufus Godwins |
Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement | Igonibo E. Thompson |
ICT Special Adviser | |
Administrator (GPHCDA) | Desmond Akawor |
Commissioner of Agriculture | Dr Fred Kpakol |
Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning | Charles Gogo |
Commissioner of Commerce and Industry | Bright Jacob |
Commissioner of Culture And Tourism | Tonye Briggs-Oniyide |
Commissioner of Education | Kaniye Ebeku |
Commissioner of Energy and Natural resources | Uchechukwu Nwafor |
Commissioner of Environment | Roseline Konya |
Commissioner of Finance | Fred Kpakol |
Commissioner of Health | Odagme Theophilus |
Commissioner of Housing | Emmanuel Okah |
Commissioner of Information and Communications | Austin Tam George |
Commissioner of Justice | Emmanuel C. Aguma |
Commissioner of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs | John Bazia |
Commissioner of Land and Survey | Hanny Woko |
Commissioner of Local Government Affairs | Rodaford Long-John |
Commissioner of Power | Mike Anwuri |
Commissioner of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation | Herbert D. Miller |
Commissioner of Special Duties | Monday Onyezonwu |
Commissioner of Sports | Boma Iyaye |
Commissioner of Transport | Akie Dagogo Fubara |
Commissioner of Urban Development | Chinyere Igwe |
Commissioner of Water Resources and Rural development | Walter Ibibia |
Commissioner of Women Affairs | Ukel Oyaghiri |
Commissioner of Works | Harrison B. Iheanyichukwu |
Commissioner of Youth Development | Princewill Ogbobula |
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, typically reporting to a ministry, include: [5]
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.
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]
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 |
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. [7]
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. [8]
Local government areas handle local administration, under an elected chairman.
Rivers State is divided into twenty-three local government areas (LGAs):
LGA Name | Area (km2) | 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 |
Politics of Cape Verde takes place in a framework of a semi-presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Cape Verde is the head of government and the President of the Republic of Cape Verde is the head of state, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the president and the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The constitution, first approved in 1980 and substantially revised in 1992, forms the basis of government organization. It declares that the government is the "organ that defines, leads, and executes the general internal and external policy of the country" and is responsible to the National Assembly.
Separation of powers is the division of a state's government into branches, each with separate, independent powers and responsibilities, so that the powers of one branch are not in conflict with others. The typical division into three branches of government, sometimes called the trias politica model, includes a legislature, an executive, and a judiciary. It can be contrasted with the fusion of powers in monarchies, but also parliamentary and semi-presidential systems where there can be overlap in membership and functions between different branches, especially the executive and legislative.
The government of the U.S. State of Oklahoma, established by the Oklahoma Constitution, is a republican democracy modeled after the federal government of the United States. The state government has three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial. Through a system of separation of powers or "checks and balances," each of these branches has some authority to act on its own, some authority to regulate the other two branches, and has some of its own authority, in turn, regulated by the other branches.
The Government of Malaysia, officially the Federal Government of Malaysia, is based in the Federal Territory of Putrajaya, with the exception of the legislative branch, which is located in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is a federation comprising the 11 States of Malaya, the Borneo States of Sabah and Sarawak, and 3 Federal Territories operating within a constitutional monarchy under the Westminster system and is categorised as a representative democracy. The federal government of Malaysia adheres to and is created by the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, the supreme law of the land.
The government of Virginia combines the executive, legislative and judicial branches of authority in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The current governor of Virginia is Glenn Youngkin. The State Capitol building in Richmond was designed by Thomas Jefferson, and the cornerstone was laid by Governor Patrick Henry in 1785. Virginia currently functions under the 1971 Constitution of Virginia. It is Virginia's seventh constitution. Under the Constitution, the government is composed of three branches: the legislative, the executive and the judicial.
The Government of the Republic of Kenya (GoK) is the national government of the Republic of Kenya, a federal republic located in East Africa, composed of 47 Counties, each county with its own semi-autonomous governments, including the national capital of Nairobi, where the national government is primarily based.
The Federal Government of Mexico is the national government of the United Mexican States, the central government established by its constitution to share sovereignty over the republic with the governments of the 31 individual Mexican states, and to represent such governments before international bodies such as the United Nations. The Mexican federal government has three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial and functions per the Constitution of the United Mexican States, as enacted in 1917, and as amended. The executive power is exercised by the executive branch, which is headed by the president and her Cabinet, which, together, are independent of the legislature. Legislative power is vested upon the Congress of the Union, a bicameral legislature comprising the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Judicial power is exercised by the judiciary, consisting of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, the Council of the Federal Judiciary, and the collegiate, unitary, and district courts.
The Government of Japan consists of legislative, executive and judiciary branches and is based on popular sovereignty. The Government runs under the framework established by the Constitution of Japan, adopted in 1947. It is a unitary state, containing forty-seven administrative divisions, with the Emperor as its Head of State. His role is ceremonial and he has no powers related to the Government. Instead, it is the Cabinet, comprising the Ministers of State and the Prime Minister, that directs and controls the Government and the civil service. The Cabinet has the executive power and is formed by the Prime Minister, who is the Head of Government. The Prime Minister is nominated by the National Diet and appointed to office by the Emperor.
The governor of Lagos State is the head of government of Lagos State in Nigeria. The governor leads the executive branch of the Lagos State Government. This position places its holder in leadership of the state with command authority over the state affairs. The Governor is frequently described to be the number one citizen of the state. Article II of the Constitution of Nigeria vests the executive power of the state in the governor and charges him with the execution of state law, alongside the responsibility of appointing state executive, diplomatic, regulatory, and judicial officers subject to the approval of the Assembly members.
The Governor of Rivers State is the Chief executive of the Rivers State 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. The Governor, as head of the executive branch, has the power to appoint commissioners responsible for each of the state's ministries, the heads of parastatals, judicial officers and the state-owned bodies with specific regulatory or administrative duties. They cannot be a member of the state House of Assembly.
The government of North Carolina is divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. These consist of the Council of State, the bicameral legislature, and the state court system. The Constitution of North Carolina delineates the structure and function of the state government.
Ipalibo Gogo Banigo is a Nigerian medical doctor and politician who is the current senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District since 2023. She served as the first female deputy governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023.
The Politics of Rivers State function within the framework of a presidential republic, with the Governor of Rivers State as both head of state and head of government. Rivers State is known for a politically engaged citizenry. The official seat of government is in Port Harcourt. Under the Constitution, Executive power is vested in the Governor. This does not change the fact that such authority may also be exercised through the Deputy Governor or Commissioners. Legislative power is vested in a 32-member unicameral House of Assembly. Judicial power is exercised solely by the judiciary of Rivers State.
The government of Abia State is the supreme governing authority of Abia State and its local governments. It consists of the executive headed by the governor, the legislative and the judiciary.
The politics of Ogun State function within the framework of a presidential republic, with the Governor of Ogun State as both head of state and head of government. Ogun State is known for a politically engaged citizenry. The official seat of government is in Abeokuta. Under the Constitution, the executive power is vested in the Governor. Such authority may also be exercised through the Deputy Governor or Commissioners. Legislative power is vested in a 26-member unicameral House of Assembly. Judicial power is exercised solely by the judiciary of Ogun State.
The Government of Ogun State consists of elected representatives and appointed officials responsible for the government of Ogun State, Nigeria. Ogun State has a population of about 2 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 Governor, the House of Assembly, 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.
The governor of Imo State is an elective political position, one of the governors of the thirty-six states of Nigeria. The governor of Imo State is the chief executive officer of Imo state and its executive branch with the assistance of the deputy governor. Fourteen people have served as governor since Imo State was created in 1976: eight military governors, two military administrators and seven democratic governors. The current governor is Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress, in office since 15 January 2020.
The Government of Imo State also called The Imo State Government consists of elected representatives and appointed officials responsible for the government of Imo State, Nigeria. Imo State has a population of over 4 to 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.
Kano State Government is the government of Kano State, concerned with the administration of the state ministries. The government consists of the executive, legislative and Judiciary. The government is headed by the Governor who is the policy-maker and often assisted by the Commissioners and other civil servants of the state.
The government of Edo State serves as the governing authority for Edo State, one of the 36 states within the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It comprises three branches of government: the executive branch led by the Governor of Edo State, the legislative branch represented by the Edo State House of Assembly, and the judicial branch, including the Judiciary of Edo State and the Courts of Edo State. The state government operates under the frameworks of the Constitution of Nigeria and the Constitution of Edo State, delineating the powers, duties, and functions of state organs and institutions. It also encourages direct participation from the electorate through mechanisms such as initiative, referendum, and ratification.