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:

Ministries Ministry Notes WebsiteAgriculture Regulates and formulates agricultural sector-related policies http://rsmoa.gov.ng 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 tourismEducation Directs education in Rivers State http://ministryofeducationriversstate.com.ng 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.ngHousing 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 infrastructureUrban Development Reviews and prepares physical development, urban renewal and transportation plansWater 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.

Elections and voting

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 (km2) Census 2006 population Administrative capital PostalCode 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

See also Judiciary of Rivers State Elections in Rivers State Nigerian National Assembly delegation from Rivers

References