Governor of Imo State
The Governor of Imo State is an elective political position. He's one of the governors of the thirty-six states in Nigeria. The governor of Imo State is the chief executive officer of Imo state and its executive branch with the assistance of the Deputy Governor (his political running-mate). Fourteen different people have served as governor of Imo State; 8 military governors, 2 military administrators and 7 democratic governors since the state was created on 1976. The current governor of the state is Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress, in office since January 15, 2020.[1][2]
| Governor of Imo State | |
|---|---|
since 15 January 2020 | |
| Executive Branch of the Government of Imo State | |
| Style | His Excellency, |
| Member of | Executive Council of Imo State |
| Residence | Imo State Government House, Owerri |
| Seat | Owerri |
| Appointer | Direct popular election |
| Term length | 4 years, renewable once |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria |
| First holder | Samuel Mbakwe |
| Deputy | Deputy Governor of Imo State |
| Website | imostate |
Duties and Functions
Governor in his official capacity appoints the principal state officers, Commissioners, Heads of State Ministries, State Judicial officers, Permanent Secretaries and other Heads of Department. The Governor doesn't belong to the State House of Assembly. The Governor oversees all the functions of the Executive cadre of the Government of Imo State.[3]
Executive powers
Most executive power lies with the governor whose responsibility is to enforce state laws. He or she serves as the head of government with supreme authority over the Executive Council. Excluding the deputy governor, he or she appoints commissioners, heads of government agencies, special advisers and judicial officers subject to the House's approval.[4] The governor has the duty to attract investments, promote business and implement political as well as economic initiatives.[5][6] The governor in his executive capacity also serves as the Chief Security Officer of the State.
Legislative powers
Under the Constitution, every bill passed by the Imo House of Assembly must be presented to the governor for approval before it becomes law. The governor may choose to sign it and make it law, veto it and return it to the House, or take no action, however. If he or she vetoes the bill, a two-thirds majority of the House may override it, and the bill will become act without the governor's signature. If the governor does not act, the bill will automatically become Law after a 30-day period.[7]
Judicial powers
Judicial officers are appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council subject to confirmation of the appointment by the Imo State House of Assembly. Should a vacancy arise in the office of the Chief Judge or the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, the governor can appoint the next most senior judge of those courts to act for a period of three months.[8][9]
Section 212, subsection (1) and (2) further empowers the chief executive 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.[10]
Oath of Office
The oath of office is administered by the Chief Judge of the State who is appointed by the Governor. The oath of office is carried out on the inaugural day of the new Government in the State which is especially on the day of tenure expiration of the preceding government or otherwise stipulated by a Higher Court in Nigeria.
I do solemnly swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that as the Governor of Imo State, I will discharge my duties to the best of my ability, faithfully and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law, and always in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will strive to preserve the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will exercise the authority vested in me as governor so as not to impede or prejudice the authority lawfully vested in the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and so as not to endanger the continuance of federal government in Nigeria; that I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions; that I will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will abide by the Code of Conduct contained in the Fifty Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will; that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as Governor of Imo State, except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as governor; and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of Nigeria. So help me God
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 Imo State is contained in section 177 of the 1999 Constitution. According to the constitution, an individual may become governor if he or she meets the following eligibility criteria:
a. He or She must be (35) years of age
b. A citizen of Imo State by birth
c. A member of a political party in Nigeria already registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with an endorsement by that political party.
d. School Certificate level or its equivalent
Removal from Office
Although a governor is normally elected to serve a complete four-year term during the national elections, in exceptional cases, before a term of such four years expires, the officeholder may be replaced or removed as the case may be, through death, impeachment or if an election is annulled by a competent court of law or by a two-third majority of the House of Assembly. As seen in the case of Emeka Ihedioha and the incumbent governor Hope Uzodinma[12]
See also
External Sites
References
- ^ "Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria". www.nigeria-law.org. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
- ^ "Hope Uzodinma takes oath of office, promises a better Imo". Pulse Nigeria. 2020-01-16. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
- ^ "Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria". www.nigeria-law.org. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
- ^ "Uzodinma appoints SSG, AG, CPS, others - Premium Times Nigeria". 2020-01-17. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
- ^ "Uzodinma to set up SEDARC to revamp Imo economy". Vanguard News. 2020-01-22. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
- ^ "Uzodinma moves to revive ADAPALM - Premium Times Nigeria". 2020-05-07. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
- ^ Obialor, Adindu (2020-02-27). "Uzodinma signs Imo State revenue administration bill 2020 into law". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
- ^ "Uzodinma names Justice Ijeoma Agugua acting Imo chief judge". Vanguard News. 2020-03-12. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
- ^ "Uzodinma appoints Njoku President Customary Court of Appeal". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 2020-05-01. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
- ^ "Uzodinma releases 36 prisoners in Imo". Vanguard News. 2020-05-01. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
- ^ "Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria". www.nigeria-law.org. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
- ^ "Supreme Court sacks Imo governor, declares APC winner". 2020-01-14. Retrieved 2020-05-07.