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

[edit]

### Eastern Region

[edit]

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

[edit]

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]

Heads of the government of Rivers State  № | 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] |
3  | —  | Suleiman Saidu | July 1978

October 1979
[11] |
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] |
7  | —  | Ernest Adelaye
(b. 1943)
[23] | July 1988

August 1990
[11] |
8  |  | Godwin Abbe
(b. 1949)
[24] | August 1990

January 1992
[11] |
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 Governor  | —  | Office abolished |
11  | —  | Musa Shehu | August 1996

August 1998
[11] |
12  | —  | Sam Ewang
(b. 1952)
[27] | August 1998

August 1999
[11] |
13  | —  | Peter Odili
(b. 1948)
[28] | 29 May 1999

29 May 2007
[11][14] |  | PDP
[14][29] | 1999
2003 | Gabriel Toby |
14  | —  | Celestine Omehia
(b. 1959)
[30] | 29 May 2007

25 October 2007
[11][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.[31]
15  |  | Rotimi Amaechi
(b. 1965)
[32] | 29 October 2007

29 May 2015
[11][14] | 2011 |
16  |  | Ezenwo Nyesom Wike | 29 May 2015

29 May 2023
[11][14] | 2015
2019 | Ipalibo Banigo |
17  |  | Siminalayi Fubara
(b. 1975)
[29] | 29 May 2023

Suspended
18 March 2025
[15][16] | 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

[edit]

* Biography portal
* Nigeria portal

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

## Notes

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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

[edit]

### Citations

[edit]

1. ^ Akinpelu, Olusegun (17 December 2019). "From His Excellency to Mr Governor". This Day. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
2. ^ a b c d Article VI, Section II, 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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "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. ^ a b c d e f 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. ^ a b "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.
16. ^ a b c Musa, Deborah; Naku, Dennis; Kordoo, Faith; Musa, Samuel Ese (27 March 2025). "Rivers emergency rule: PDP govs ask S'Court to reinstate Fubara, Ibas sacks appointees". The Punch. ISSN 0331-2666. Archived from the original on 28 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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.
30. ^ 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.
31. ^ "Oil governor removed in Nigeria". BBC News. 25 October 2007. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
32. ^ Abdulkareem, Aliyu (20 May 2023). "Birthdays". Nigerian Tribune. Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
33. ^ a b 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

[edit]

* 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.

* v
* t
* e

Governors of Rivers State

Elected|

* Melford Okilo
* Rufus Ada George
* Peter Odili
* Celestine Omehia (annulled)
* Rotimi Amaechi
* Ezenwo N. Wike
* Siminalayi Fubara

Military|

* Alfred Diete-Spiff
* Zamani Lekwot
* Suleiman Saidu
* Fidelis Oyakhilome
* Anthony Ukpo
* Ernest Adelaye
* Godwin Abbe
* Dauda Komo
* Musa Shehu
* Sam Ewang

* v
* t
* e

Rivers State

Capital: Port Harcourt

Topics|

* Agriculture
* Bibliography
* Crime
* Culture (Music)
* Delegations
* Deputy Governor
* Economy
* Education (Schools)
* Executive Council
* Fire Service
* Geography
* Government
* Governor (List)
* Health
* High Court
* History
* People
* Police
* Politics (Elections)

Communities|

* Abua
* Asarama
* Bane
* Chokocho
* Kono
* Okobie
* Onikwu
* Umuakuru-Igbo

Cities and towns|

* Abalama
* Abonnema
* Ahoada
* Ataba
* Bonny
* Bodo
* Bori City
* Buguma
* Elele
* Emohua
* Igrita
* Igwuruta
* Nkoroo
* Odiabidi
* Okrika
* Omoku
* Onne
* Opobo
* Port Harcourt
* Rumuokoro

LGA(s)|

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

Metro areas|

* Greater Port Harcourt

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*[№]: Number
*[D. Governor]: Deputy Governor
*[b.]: born
*[d.]: died
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