Since 1834 to 1907, in the eastern portion of modern Oklahoma state was the unorganized former Indian Territory, originally encompassed a much larger tract of unassigned public lands west of the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains, reserved for various Native Americans / Indian tribes and nations, removed and transported from the Southeastern United States in the 1830s during the infamous "Trail of Tears".

Over subsequent decades through various treaties and outright land grabs, that expanse was later reduced gradually to the eastern half of the modern state from 1834 to 1907.

[3] He vetoed the territorial legislature's attempts to move the state capital from Guthrie to Oklahoma City or Kingfisher.

In his place, President Benjamin Harrison then appointed Abraham Jefferson Seay (1832-1915, served 1892-1893), to the governorship as the second occupant.

It was crafted as a "weak governor system" to defend the state against abuses of power that had occurred under the territorial government.

It was not until William H. ("Alfalfa Bill") Murray (1869-1956, served 1931-1935), took office in 1931 that the Oklahoma governorship regained the initiative and executive leadership with expanded its powers.

[5] As Oklahoma grew and the state government expanded in its responsibilities and services, the office of the governor became gradually more powerful.

As more agencies were introduced to perform certain tasks or address certain problems, the governor gained greater indirect influence through the power of appointment.

Under Section Four in Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor serves a four-year term in office beginning on the second Monday in January.

On November 2, 2010, voters passed a ballot initiative to limit governors to only eight years in office in a lifetime.

George Nigh (1963; 1979–1987), Frank Keating (1995–2003) and Brad Henry (2003–2011) are eligible for third and fourth terms respectively.

"I, ........., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma, and that I will not, knowingly, receive, directly or indirectly, any money or other valuable thing, for the performance or nonperformance of any act or duty pertaining to my office, other than the compensation allowed by law; I further swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge my duties as Governor of the State of Oklahoma to the best of my ability."

In the position of chief peace officer, the governor commands state and local law enforcement agencies.

Before a joint session of the Oklahoma Legislature, the governor outlines the status of the state and legislative proposals for the upcoming year.

The governor also possess the power to grant commutations, pardons and paroles for all offenses, except cases of impeachment, upon such conditions and with such restrictions and limitations as he may deem proper, subject to such regulations as may be prescribed by law.

After reviewing the applicant for clemency, and a favorable vote from the majority, the board may empower the governor to make such acts of as he deems necessary.

The governor has the power to grant after conviction, reprieves, or a leave of absence not to exceed sixty days, without the action of the board.

Either the governor through executive order or the Oklahoma Legislature through concurrent resolution may declare a state of emergency.

These resources include, but are not limited to, food, manpower, health and health manpower, water, transportation, economic stabilization, electric power, petroleum, gas, and solid fuel, industrial production, construction and housing.

In discharging those power to enforce laws, rules and regulations relating to emergency management, the governor assumes direct operational control of emergency management forces of the state, including the Oklahoma National Guard, state police agencies, state and local health departments, as well as county sheriff's offices and local police departments.

These emergency police powers extend to providing for the evacuation of the state's population from any affected or threatened area or areas within the state, regulating the conduct of civilians and the movement of pedestrians and vehicular traffic, and regulating public meetings and gatherings.

Pending the presentation of charges, the governor may suspend such officers for a period not to exceed thirty days.

When carrying out the functions of emergency powers, the governor is immune from civilly liable for any loss or injury resulting from any decision, determination, order or action in the performance of the governor's assigned duties and responsibilities during a stated emergency.

However, this immunity does not apply when such loss or injury is caused by the gross negligence, or willfully and unnecessarily act by the governor.

This includes the power of signing or vetoing legislation, making political appointments, calling out the Oklahoma National Guard, or granting pardons.

Governor Charles N. Haskell set up his administration's office and his official residence within a hotel in Oklahoma City.

[5] Built by an Oklahoma City architectural firm, Layton, Hicks and Forsyth, the mansion is of Dutch-Colonial style.

Artists represented in oil and bronze include N.C. Wyeth, Charles Marion Russell, Thomas Moran and Albert Beirstadt.

If, during a vacancy of the office of governor, the lieutenant governor is impeached, displaced, resigns, dies, is absent from the state, or becomes incapable of performing the duties of the office, the president pro tempore of the state senate is the next official in the gubernatorial line of succession.

The Oklahoma Legislature, by concurrent resolution, may terminate the authority of any emergency interim successor to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the governor.