
List Of Rivers State Governors And Their Deputies (1979-Present)
This is the most comprehensive list of all the Governors of River State, Including their Deputies with their respective parties:
Governor | Deputy | Took Office | Left Office |
---|---|---|---|
Melford Okilo | Frank Eke | 1 October 1979 | 31 December 1983 |
Rufus Ada George | Peter Odili | 1 January 1992 | 17 November 1993 |
Peter Odili | Gabriel Toby | 29 May 1999 | 29 May 2007 |
Celestine Omehia | Tele Ikuru | 29 May 2007 | 26 October 2007 |
Chibuike Amaechi | Tele Ikuru | 26 October 2007 | 29 May 2015 |
Ezenwo Wike | Ipalibo Banigo | 29 May 2015 | 29 May 2023 |
Siminalayi Fubara | Ngozi Odu | 29 May 2023 | Incumbent |
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Who Was The First Governor Of Rivers State?
The first governor of Rivers State was Melford Okilo, who took office on October 1, 1979. He was the first elected governor after the military rule that came before him.
Okilo was a National Party of Nigeria (NPN) member and served as governor until December 31, 1983. His time in office focused on developing the state’s infrastructure and improving sectors like education, health, and agriculture.
Despite his efforts, his administration faced challenges, especially with economic management and political stability, which were common issues in Nigeria during the early 1980s.
Before Okilo’s election, Rivers State was governed by military administrators. The state was created on May 27, 1967, from part of the Eastern Region of Nigeria.
However, the first military governor was Alfred Diete-Spiff, who served from May 28, 1967, to July 1975. Diete-Spiff is known for setting up the state’s initial governance structure.
After Okilo’s term ended in 1983, Rivers State returned to military rule until the 1990s when Nigeria changed back to democracy.
Who Is The Current Governor Of Rivers State?
Siminalayi Fubara is currently the Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria. He took office on May 29, 2023, after winning the election as a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Fubara succeeded Nyesom Wike, who was the governor from 2015 to 2023. Initially, Fubara was thought to be close to Wike, but their relationship has become tense over time, mainly because of differences in how they think the state should be run and issues of political loyalty.
Siminalayi Fubara was born on January 28, 1975, in Opobo Town, Rivers State. He belongs to the Ibani-Ijaw ethnic group.
Fubara attended primary and secondary schools in his hometown and studied Accountancy at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.
He later earned an MBA and an MSc from the University of Port Harcourt. Fubara’s career began in 2003 as an accountant in the Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board.
Then he served as the Director of Finance and Accounts at the government house and became the Accountant General of Rivers State in December 2020.
Since becoming governor, Fubara has launched several projects, including a major road project to reduce traffic in Port Harcourt.
However, his time in office has been seen by allegations of financial misconduct from his past roles, leading to investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
READ ALSO: List Of All Akwa Ibom Governors And Their Deputies (1999-Present)
Who Is The Current Deputy Governor Of Rivers State?
Ngozi Odu is the current Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria. She took office on May 29, 2023, working alongside Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Both Odu and Fubara are members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Ngozi Odu is the first woman to ever hold this position in Rivers State since it was established in 1979.
She comes from Rivers State and she has a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Port Harcourt and has also studied public administration and governance.
As Deputy Governor, her main duties include helping the Governor implement state policies, representing the state at official events, and stepping in as acting Governor if needed. She also serves on the State Executive Council, which advises the Governor on issues affecting the state.