The governor of Rivers State is the chief executive of the Rivers State government and is one of the governors of the thirty-six states of Nigeria. The governor is supported by the deputy governor, both popularly elected for a term of four years (maximum of two terms). The governor, as head of the executive branch, has the power to appoint commissioners responsible for each of the state's ministries, the heads of parastatals, judicial officers and the state-owned bodies with specific regulatory or administrative duties. They cannot be a member of the state House of Assembly. History Since achieving statehood in 1967, fifteen individuals have held the power to govern Rivers State, a majority of whom were military officers. Alfred Diete-Spiff, a navy commander and member of the Supreme Military Council, served as the first military governor of the state, after it was created from part of the old Eastern Region, Nigeria. 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. In October 1979, Melford Okilo became the first elected governor of Rivers State and ruled until December 1983. More recently, two governors in the state's history have served two consecutive terms. They are: Peter Odili (1999–2007) and Chibuike Amaechi (2007–2015). 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. Election and qualification The governor and deputy governor are directly elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms, and are limited to two consecutive terms, for a total of eight years. Qualifications required for an individual aspiring to become the governor of Rivers State is contained in section 177 of the 1999 Constitution. According to the constitution, an individual may become governor if they meet the following eligibility criteria: at least thirty-five (35) years of age; a citizen of Rivers State by birth; a member of a political party with endorsement by that political party; School Certificate level or its equivalent. Powers and functions Executive powers Most executive power lies with the governor whose responsibility is to enforce state laws. They serve as the head of government with supreme authority over the Executive Council. Excluding the deputy governor, they appoint commissioners, heads of government agencies, special advisers and judicial officers subject to