List of governors of Rivers State

Governor of Rivers State
Seal of Rivers State of Nigeria
Flag of Rivers State of Nigeria
Incumbent Ibok-Ete Ibas since March 2025
Government of Rivers State
Style	Governor (informal) His Excellency or Your Excellency (courtesy) [1]
Member of	Executive Council of Delta State [2]
Reports to	President of Nigeria
Residence	The Brick House, Port Harcourt [3]
Seat	Port Harcourt
Appointer	Popular vote [2]
Term length	Four years, renewable once consecutively [2]
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Nigeria
Inaugural holder	Melford Okilo
Formation	1 October 1979
Deputy	Deputy governor of Rivers State

Location of Rivers State in Nigeria

Rivers State, located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, has undergone political transformations, influenced by colonial, military, and civilian administrations. Rivers State was originally part of the Eastern Region before Nigeria's independence in 1960. During the colonial era, British officials governed the region until Nigeria's first military coup in 1966, which led to the abolition of the regional system. ^[a] In 1967, military leader Yakubu Gowon created Rivers State, which remained under military rule until the brief return to civilian governance in 1979. However, another coup in 1983 reinstated military control until Nigeria's full transition to democracy in 1999.

Since 1999, Rivers State has been governed by elected officials, beginning with Peter Odili of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Subsequent governors included Chibuike Amaechi, Ezenwo Wike, and Siminalayi Fubara. However, in March 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency due to political instability, suspending Fubara's government and appointing retired Vice admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state's administrator. The decision has been met with controversy, with opposition governors challenging it at the Supreme Court.

List of governors

Eastern Region

Before Nigeria's independence in 1960, the territory that now constitutes Rivers State was part of the Eastern Region, one of the country's original administrative divisions. ^[5] During the colonial era, British officials governed the Eastern Region, with Clement Pleass (1954–1956) and Robert Stapledon (1956–1960) serving as governors. After independence, Francis Akanu Ibiam (1960–1966) became the first Nigerian governor of the Eastern Region, while Michael Okpara served as its second premier (1960–1966) succeeding Nnamdi Azikiwe. However, following Nigeria’s first military coup in January 1966, the military abolished the regional system, dismissed civilian premiers, and appointed military administrators, with Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu governing the Eastern Region from January 1966 until its dissolution in May 1967. ^{[5] [6]}

Rivers State

In May 1967, following Nigeria's restructuring by Yakubu Gowon, the Eastern Region was divided into three new states: East-Central State, South-Eastern State, and Rivers State. ^[5] The newly-created Rivers State was placed under military rule, with Alfred Diete-Spiff serving as its first military governor (1967–1975). ^{[7] [8]} The state remained under military administration until Nigeria's brief return to civilian governance in 1979, when Melford Okilo of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) became its first elected governor. ^[9] A new office was created for the 1979 elections: deputy governor of Rivers State. Deputies were elected on a joint ticket with the gubernatorial candidate, and thus share the same party by default. ^{[10] [2]} However, the military coup of December 1983 led to the dismissal of civilian governments, and Rivers State returned to military rule under police commissioner Fidelis Oyakhilome (1984–1986) and successive military administrators until another brief civilian transition in 1992, when Rufus Ada George of the National Republican Convention (NRC) was elected governor. ^{[11] [12] [13]} The military annulled the Third Republic in 1993, and Rivers State was again placed under military administration until Nigeria's full return to democracy in 1999. ^[11]

Under the Fourth Republic, Rivers State has been governed by elected civilian governors, beginning with Peter Odili (1999–2007) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). ^[14] Subsequent governors included Chibuike "Rotimi" Amaechi (2007–2015), Ezenwo "Nyesom" Wike (2015–2023), and Siminalayi Fubara, who took office on 29 May 2023. ^[15] However, President Bola Tinubu, in March 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing prolonged political instability. The declaration led to the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the state's House of Assembly for six months. Tinubu appointed retired vice admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the administrator of the state, marking the first military-led administration in Rivers State since 1999. ^[16] The decision has been met with controversy, with seven opposition governors from the PDP challenging it at the Supreme Court, arguing that it violated the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. ^[17]

Military Governors, Administrators and Civilian Governors of Rivers State

No.	Governor		Term in office	Party		Election	D. Governor	Notes
1	—	Alfred Diete-Spiff (b. 1942) [7]	May 1967 – July 1975 [7]		Military Governor	—	Office did not exist
2		Zamani Lekwot (b. 1944) [18]	July 1975 – July 1978 [11]		Military Governor	—
3	—	Suleiman Saidu	July 1978 – October 1979 [11]		Military Governor	—
4	—	Melford Okilo (b. 1933–d. 2008) [19]	October 1979 – December 1983 [19]		NPN [20]	1979 1983	Frank Eke
5	—	Fidelis Oyakhilome (b. 1939) [21]	January 1984 – August 1986 [11]		Military Governor	—	Office abolished
6	—	Anthony Ukpo (b. 1947) [22]	August 1986 – July 1988 [11]		Military Governor	—
7	—	Ernest Adelaye (b. 1943) [23]	July 1988 – August 1990 [11]		Military Governor	—
8		Godwin Abbe (b. 1949) [24]	August 1990 – January 1992 [11]		Military Governor	—
9	—	Rufus Ada George (b. 1940) [25]	January 1992 – November 1993 [11]		NRC [26]	1991	Peter Odili
10	—	Dauda Komo	December 1993 – August 1996 [11]		Military Administrator	—	Office abolished
11	—	Musa Shehu	August 1996 – August 1998 [11]		Military Administrator	—
12	—	Sam Ewang (b. 1952) [27]	August 1998 – August 1999 [11]		Military Administrator	—
13	—	Peter Odili (b. 1948) [28]	29 May 1999 – 29 May 2007 [11] [14]		PDP [14]	1999 2003	Gabriel Toby
14	—	Celestine Omehia (b. 1959) [29]	29 May 2007 – 25 October 2007 [11] [14]		PDP [14]	2007	Tele Ikuru	In October 2007, Nigeria's Supreme Court annulled the election of Celestine Omehia, ruling that Rotimi Amaechi was the rightful candidate of the People's Democratic Party. Omehia had replaced Amaechi last-minute due to graft allegations, but the court reinstated him without fresh elections. [30]
15		Rotimi Amaechi (b. 1965) [31]	29 October 2007 – 29 May 2015 [11] [14]		PDP [14]	2011
16		Ezenwo Nyesom Wike	29 May 2015 – 29 May 2023 [11] [14]		PDP [14]	2015 2019	Ipalibo Banigo
17		Siminalayi Fubara (b. 1975) [32]	29 May 2023 – Suspended 18 March 2025 [15] [16]		PDP [32]	2023	Ngozi Odu	Suspended by President Bola Tinubu since 18 March 2025 for six months [16]
18		Ibok Ekwe Ibas (b. 1960) [33]	18 March 2025 – Incumbent [11] [33]		Military Administrator	—	Office suspended

See also

• Biography portal
• Nigeria portal

• List of people from Rivers State
• List of governors of Bayelsa State

Notes

1. Nigeria's regional system of government was a decentralised political structure where the country was divided into autonomous regions—each with its own legislature, executive, and judiciary—allowing them to govern internal affairs and manage resources independently, while still operating under a central federal authority. ^[4]

References

Citations

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2. Article VI, Section II of the Constitution of Nigeria  (1999)
3. Esinulo, Kanayo (29 May 2014). "Who occupies Brick House, Port Harcourt in 2015?". The Sun . ISSN   0795-7475. Archived from the original on 24 July 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
4. Oluwadele, Boluwatife (27 November 2024). "Thoughts on the proposed regional government in Nigeria". Premium Times . ISSN   2360-7688. Archived from the original on 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
5. Falola & Genova 2009, p. 103.
6. Yusha'u, Muhammad Jameel (2018). Regional Parallelism and Corruption Scandals in Nigeria: Intranational Approaches to African Media Systems. Springer Publishing. p. 182. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-96220-7. ISBN   978-3-319-96219-1.
7. "Profile: Alfred Diete-Spiff". Premium Times . 17 March 2014. ISSN   2360-7688. Archived from the original on 18 January 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
8. Uzoatu 2011, p. 33.
9. Ige-Edaba, Iboro (3 July 2020). "Okilo; 12 years after". The Nation . ISSN   1595-3793. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
10. Ogwutum, Solomon (2001). Okwurume: The Biography of Chief Eric Aso, Okwurume I of Oropotoma. Evans Brothers (Nigeria Publishers). p. 46. ISBN   978-978-020-199-9.
11. "Realising The Rivers Dream: Achievements Of Past Governors". The Tide . 27 May 2017. ISSN   0331-2615. Archived from the original on 19 June 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
12. Sekibo, Abiye (5 November 2015). "Nigeria must commence reorientation of its value system now". Vanguard (Interview). Interviewed by Kumolu, Charles; Oke, Gbenga. ISSN   0794-652X. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
13. Daminabo, Amayanabo Opubo (2005). Ken Saro-Wiwa, 1941-1995: His Life & Legacies. Hanging Gardens Publishers. p. 239. ISBN   978-978-2868-59-6.
14. Odiegwu, Mike (29 September 2024). "Clash of umbrella, elephant, broom in Rivers confusing political identity". The Nation . ISSN   1595-3793. Archived from the original on 29 September 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
15. "Rivers: Honouring The Past, Embracing The Future". The Tide . 27 May 2024. ISSN   0331-2615. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
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17. Anichukwueze, Donatus (26 March 2025). "PDP Governors Challenge Fubara's Suspension At Supreme Court". Channels Television . Archived from the original on 28 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
18. "How I was framed, tried and convicted - General Lekwot". P.M. News . 10 September 2023. ISSN   2006-7968. Archived from the original on 11 September 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
19. Ige-Edaba, Iboro (10 July 2020). "Remembering Melford Okilo". This Day . Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
20. Uneze, Amby (10 July 2020). "Twelve Years After: Remembering Melford Okilo, The Country Man". This Day . Archived from the original on 17 June 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
21. Osso 1990, p. 680.
22. Uwechue, Raph; Bing, Adotey; Matatu, Godwin; Babangida, Ibrahim Badamasi (1991). "Africa Who's who". Africa Journal Limited. Africa Books: 1762. ISBN   978-0-903274-17-3. ISSN   0261-1570.
23. Osso 1990, p. 83.
24. Osso 1990, p. 11.
25. "Welcome to Ada George". Adageorge.org. 24 July 2011. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
26. Idachaba, Sunny (31 March 2025). "Sarki Muktar, Rufus Ada George: Where are they now?". Blueprint Newspapers Limited. Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
27. Ogun State Executive Council (profiles). Ogun State Print Corporation. 1997. p. 5. OCLC   47789089.
28. Omonijo, Mobolade (1999). Political Factbook and Who's who in Nigeria. Winngam Communications. p. 124. ISBN   978-978-041-500-6.
29. Konkwo, Chris (12 September 2012). "Sir Omehia At 53". National Network . Vol. 9, no. 36. ISSN   0189-7365. Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
30. "Oil governor removed in Nigeria". BBC News . 25 October 2007. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
31. Abdulkareem, Aliyu (20 May 2023). "Birthdays". Nigerian Tribune . Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
32. Abiodun, Alao (30 September 2023). "What you probably didn't know about Rivers Gov Fubara". The Nation . ISSN   1595-3793. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
33. John, Onuwa (18 March 2025). "Tinubu Appoints Ibas as Rivers Administrator". Prime 9ja Online . Archived from the original on 18 March 2025. Retrieved 1 April 2025.

Works cited

• Uzoatu, Uzor Maxim (30 November 2011). "From baracks to the palace". The Nation . Vol. 7, no. 1960. ISSN   1595-3793. Archived from the original on 26 January 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025– via Issuu.
• Falola, Toyin; Genova, Ann (2009). Historical Dictionary of Nigeria. Scarecrow Press. ISBN   978-0-8108-5615-8.
• Osso, Nyaknno (1990). "Who's who in Nigeria". Newswatch . ISBN   978-978-2704-12-2.