Since achieving statehood in 1967, seventeen individuals have held the power to govern Rivers State, a majority of whom were military officers.

He held office from May 1967 until July 1975 during the administration of General Yakubu Gowon and is the state's only military governor to serve two consecutive four-year terms.

Rivers State's shortest-serving governor was Celestine Omehia who served only five months in office before the Supreme Court annulled his election on 25 October 2007.

Excluding the deputy governor, they appoint commissioners, heads of government agencies, special advisers and judicial officers subject to the House's approval.

[7] Section 212, subsection (1) and (2) further empowers the Governor to issue pardons and reprieves, commute sentences, or remit fines and forfeitures imposed for the commission of offenses against, or for the violation of the state laws.

Such authority must be exercised on the advice of the Rivers State Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, and should not be wielded independently.