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The Government of Bayelsa State consists of elected representatives and appointed officials responsible for the government of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Bayelsa State has an estimated population of around 2.7 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 Bayelsa State 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 Bayelsa 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 Bayelsa State House of Assembly 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 attaining statehood, Bayelsa State, as of 2024, has been governed by a total of 12 leaders, including both military administrators and civilian governors. The incumbent Governor is Sen. Douye Diri who assumed office 14th February 2020.

Deputy Governor

The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State holds the position of vice-head of state and government, serving as the second-highest-ranking official in the executive branch. This office is also the first in line to succeed the Governor of Bayelsa State in the event of a vacancy. The deputy governor is elected alongside the governor on a joint ticket for a four-year term, which can be renewed once.

Bayelsa State experienced a notable political event when a former deputy governor, Peremobowei Ebebi, was impeached by the State House of Assembly. Following this impeachment, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Werinipre Seighbarugu, was sworn in as deputy governor to fill the vacant position.

Bayelsa State Executive Council

The Bayelsa State Executive Council, also referred to as the Cabinet of Bayelsa State, functions as the state's highest decision-making body, operating under the leadership of the Governor as Governor-in-Council. This key council includes the Deputy Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, Head of Service, and Commissioners responsible for managing various ministries and departments. The current composition of the Bayelsa State Executive Council consists of:

Current Representatives
The Bayelsa State House of Assembly comprises 24 elected representatives, each representing a constituency within the state.

Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Brass Constituency 3, currently serves as the Speaker, a role he assumed on June 6, 2023, making him the 7th Speaker in the Assembly's history.

The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Michael Ogbere, also a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), represents Ekeremor Constituency III.

As of 2024, the members of the Bayelsa State legislature include:

Judiciary

The judicial branch is responsible for the administration of justice in Bayelsa State, a fundamental duty of the state judiciary. This branch interprets and applies laws by hearing and deciding various legal cases. It is regulated by the Judicial Service Commission, which handles appointments, promotions, and disciplinary matters within the judiciary.

The Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, currently Hon. Justice Matilda Abrakasa Ayemieye as of 2024, serves as the head of the judicial branch. The Chief Judge is the most senior judge and presiding officer of the High Court of Justice. Among other responsibilities, the Chief Judge performs the ceremonial duty of administering the oath of office to the Governor of Bayelsa State. Traditionally, the Chief Judge retires voluntarily at sixty or statutorily at sixty-five years of age.

Judicial appointments are primarily made by the Governor, based on recommendations from the National Judicial Council and confirmation by the Bayelsa State legislature.

Presently, the state judiciary comprises about 9 judicial divisions, 13 magisterial districts, and 13 Customary Court areas. In September 2007, the creation of the Customary Court of Appeal was approved. Additionally, in 2013, thirteen legal practitioners were appointed as Chairmen of the Customary Court.

Legislature

The Bayelsa State House of Assembly is the unicameral legislative body of the state government. It was established by Section 90 of the 1999 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 consists of 24 members, each elected to four-year terms in single-member constituencies by plurality.

Powers

The primary responsibility of the House is to create laws for the peace, order, and effective governance of the state. The Constitution grants the Assembly various powers essential to its functions. These include approving budget estimates presented by the executive, making laws on chargeable rates and their collection by local government councils, confirming gubernatorial appointments, overseeing and monitoring government agencies, reviewing the executive's policy implementation strategies, summoning and questioning commissioners regarding their ministries, and initiating impeachment proceedings to remove the governor or deputy governor.

The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has a history of initiating impeachment proceedings against top government officials. Former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was impeached on December 9, 2005, on charges of corruption. Similarly, former Deputy Governor Peremobowei Ebebi was also impeached during his tenure.

Following the impeachment of Peremobowei Ebebi, the Speaker of the House at the time, Rt. Hon. Werinipre Seighbarugu, was sworn in as the deputy governor to fill the vacant position.

Representatives

The Bayelsa State House of Assembly comprises 24 elected representatives, each representing a constituency within the state.

Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Brass Constituency 3, currently serves as the Speaker, a role he assumed on June 6, 2023, making him the 7th Speaker in the Assembly's history.

The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Michael Ogbere, also a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), represents Ekeremor Constituency III.

As of 2024, the members of the Bayelsa State legislature include:

Local government

Local government areas handle local administration, under an elected chairman.

Bayelsa State is divided into eight local government areas (LGAs):

References

1. "Bayelsa State Government – The Glory of all Lands". Retrieved 2024-12-30.
2. "Impeached Bayelsa Deputy Gov.: Court Insists On Status Quo". Retrieved 2024-12-29.
3. "Gov Congratulates Speaker". Bayelsa State State. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
4. "Bayelsa State house of Assembly". Nigerian Leaders. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
5. "Bayelsa State Judiciary - Official Website of BYSJ". Bayelsa State Judiciary. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
6. "About Us". Bayelsa State Judiciary. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
7. "The Rise of Sylva and the Fall of Dickson – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
8. vanguard (2010-06-24). "Bayelsa Dep Gov, Ebebi, sacked". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2024-12-29.