List of governors of Edo State explained

Post:Governor
Body:Edo State
Insignia:Seal of Edo State.png
Insigniasize:100
Insigniacaption:Seal of Edo State of Nigeria
Flag:Edo State Flag.png
Flagcaption:Flag of Edo State of Nigeria
Incumbent:Godwin Obaseki
Incumbentsince:12 November 2016
Department:Government of Edo State
Residence:Government House, Benin City [1]
Seat:Benin City
Termlength:Four years, renewable once consecutively
Constituting Instrument:Constitution of Nigeria
Precursor:Military Governor of Edo State
Inaugural:John E.K Odigie-Oyegun
Formation:27 August 1991
Deputy:Deputy Governor of Edo State
Appointer:Popular vote
Type:Head of state
Head of government
Member Of:Edo State Executive Branch
National Economic Council
Reports To:President of Nigeria

Edo State, situated in Nigeria's southern region, has had various leaders since Nigeria gained independence in 1960, both military and civilian. The Mid-Western Region was created in August 1963 and had Dennis Osadebay as its initial Premier. Osadebay served until January 1966, when he was replaced by Lt. Col. David Akpode Ejoor, the first military governor. Control of the region was contested during the Biafran War (1967 - 1970), and Ejoor was replaced by Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia. Ogbemudia governed the Mid-Western State from September 1967 to July 1975. The region was renamed and reorganized as the Bendel State on 17 March 1976, its name a combination of the old Benin and Delta provinces. Notable governors during this time period include Col. George Agbazika Innih, Commodore Husaini Abdullahi, and Ambrose Folorunsho Alli. Ogbemudia also returned for a three-month stint as a civilian governor in 1983 before the military reasserted control.

The modern Edo state was established on 27 August 1991, following the division of Bendel State into Edo State and Delta State. John Odigie-Oyegun became the first civilian governor of Edo State from January 1992 to November 1993, followed by military governors. In the democratic era, Chief Lucky Igbinedion served from 1999 to 2007, and was succeeded by Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor. Adams Oshiomhole served from 2008 to 2016, followed by Godwin Obaseki, who was re-elected in 2020.

List of governors

Mid-Western Region

Prior to the establishment of Edo State, the area was part of the Mid-Western Region of Nigeria, created on 9 August 1963.[2] The region was carved out of the Western Region, becoming Nigeria's fourth region. The Mid-Western Region had its premier and later military governors.

Chief Dennis Osadebay served as the region's first civilian leader, premier from August 1963 to January 1966.[3] Political turmoil led to military administrations, starting with Lt. Col. David Akpode Ejoor in January 1966.[4] The region experienced occupation during the Nigerian Civil War, with Major Albert Okonkwo administering the area from August to September 1967.[5]

Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia served as military governor from September 1967 to July 1975.[6] Col. George Agbazika Innih and Commodore Husaini Abdullahi later served as military governors.[7] [8] The Mid-Western Region's administrative history is relevant to the formation and early governance of Edo State.

!scope="colgroup" colspan="2"
NameTitleTerm in officeNotes
1data-sort-value="Osadebay, Dennis" Dennis Osadebay

[9]
Premier

January 1966
First and only Premier of the Mid-Western Region
2data-sort-value="Ejoor, David Akpode" David Akpode Ejoor

Military Governor

August 1967
First military governor following the 1966 Nigerian coup d'état
3data-sort-value="Okonkwo, Albert" Albert Okonkwo
Biafran Occupation Administrator

September 1967
Administered the region under Biafran control during the Nigerian Civil War
4data-sort-value="Ogbemudia, Samuel Osaigbovo" Samuel Ogbemudia

[10]
Military Governor

July 1975
Known for post-war reconstruction and development projects

Bendel State

Following the administrative changes in Nigeria, the Mid-Western Region was renamed Bendel State on 17 March 1976.[11] This renaming was part of a broader national effort to reorganise Nigeria's states and local governments under the regime of General Murtala Mohammed.[12] Bendel State combined areas of the old Mid-Western Region with Benin City as its capital.[13]

Col. George Agbazika Innih was the first military governor of Bendel State. He was followed by Commodore Husaini Abdullahi, who governed from March 1976 to July 1978. Abubakar Waziri served as the military administrator from 24 July 1978 to 30 September 1979. Prof. Ambrose Folorunsho Alli was elected as the first executive civilian governor in October 1979 under the Unity Party of Nigeria and served until September 1983. Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia was elected as a civilian governor under the National Party of Nigeria, and briefly served from October to December 1983. His brief tenure was due to the 1983 military coup to oust Alhaji Shehu Shagari and install Muhammadu Buhari as military head of state.[14]

Brigadier Jeremiah Timbut Useni took office in January 1984 and led till 27 August 1985, followed by Col. John Mark Inienger from September 1985 to July 1988. Col. Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha governed from July 1988 to August 1990, and Col. John Ewerekumoh Yeri served from August 1990 to August 1992. The state was divided into Edo and Delta States on 27 August 1991 with Yeri serving as the first military governor of the newly Edo State.[14]

!scope="colgroup" colspan="2"
NameTitleTerm in officeNotes
1data-sort-value="Innih, George Agbazika" George Agbazika Innih

Military Governor

March 1976
Oversaw transition period following Ogbemudia's administration.
2data-sort-value="Abdullahi, Husaini" Husaini Abdullahi

[15]
Military Governor

July 1978
Continued military governance during the era of General Olusegun Obasanjo's military regime.
3data-sort-value="Waziri, Abubakar" Abubakar Waziri

[16] [17]
Military Governor

30 September 1979
Also served as a brigade commander for Nigeria Army Benin City.
4data-sort-value="Alli, Ambrose Folorunsho" Ambrose Folorunsho Alli

[18]
Executive Governor

September 1983
Elected as the first civilian governor of Bendel under the umbrella of the Unity Party of Nigeria.
5data-sort-value="Ogbemudia, Samuel" Samuel Ogbemudia

Executive Governor

31 December 1983
Brief return to civilian rule under the umbrella of the National Party of Nigeria before the 1983 military coup.
6data-sort-value="Useni, Jeremiah" Jeremiah Useni

[19]
Military Governor

27 August 1985
7data-sort-value="Inienger, John Mark" John Mark Inienger

[20]
Military Governor

July 1988
8data-sort-value="Ogbeha, Jonathan Tunde" Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha

Military Governor

August 1990
9data-sort-value="Yeri, John Ewerekumoh" John Ewerekumoh Yeri
Military Governor

27 August 1991
Last military governor before the creation of Edo and Delta States.

Edo State

Edo State was established on 27 August 1991, following the division of Bendel State into Edo and Delta States.[21] Edo State, with Benin City as its capital, has a cultural heritage and economic potential.[22] The state has experienced various governance phases, including military and civilian administrations.

Col. John Ewerekumoh Yeri served as the first military governor from August 1991 to January 1992. He was succeeded by John Odigie Oyegun, the first civilian governor, who served from January 1992 until November 1993. Subsequent military administrations included Col. Mohammed Abul-Salam Onuka, Col. Bassey Asuquo, Group Captain Baba Adamu Iyam, and Navy Captain Anthony Onyearugbulem, who governed until the return to civilian rule in 1999.

In 1999, Chief Lucky Igbinedion was elected, serving two terms until 2007. He was followed by Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and Godwin Obaseki.

!scope="colgroup" colspan="2"
GovernorTerm in officePartyElectionD. Governor
1data-sort-value="Yeri, John Ewerekumoh"John Ewerekumoh Yeri


January 1992
MilitaryN/AOffice did not exist
2data-sort-value="Oyegun, John Odigie"John Odigie Oyegun

[23]
[24]

November 1993
 SDP
1991
3data-sort-value="Onuka, Mohammed Abul-Salam"Mohammed Abul-Salam Onuka


14 September 1994
MilitaryN/A
4data-sort-value="Asuquo, Bassey"Bassey Asuquo


22 August 1996
MilitaryN/A
5data-sort-value="Iyam, Baba Adamu"Baba Adamu Iyam



7 August 1998
MilitaryN/A
6data-sort-value="Onyearugbulem, Anthony"Anthony Onyearugbulem

[25]


29 May 1999
MilitaryN/A
7data-sort-value="Igbinedion, Lucky"Lucky Igbinedion



29 May 2007
 PDP
1999
2003
8data-sort-value="Osunbor, Oserheimen"Oserheimen Osunbor

[26]


11 November 2008
 PDP
2007
9Adams Oshiomhole



12 November 2016
 ACN2007
2012
 APC
10Godwin Obaseki

[27]


Incumbent
 APC
2016

 PDP[28]
2020


See also

References

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Edo State Governor . Nigeria Governors' Forum . 21 July 2024.
  2. Web site: State . MIDWEST . Mid-Western State Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Programme 1968-70 . Ministry of Finance and Economic Development . 6 June 1968 . 21 July 2024 . 21 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240721230530/https://nigeriareposit.nln.gov.ng/items/be04a8f1-3396-4bbc-99d8-57099abca4bf . live .
  3. Web site: Osadebay . CHUKUDE Dennis . Senate President . National Repository . 1955 . 21 July 2024 . 26 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240726152954/https://nigeriareposit.nln.gov.ng/items/fd2b27ce-45c7-4a60-9459-afcd4fc9a566 . live .
  4. News: Okogba . Emmanuel . Major-Gen David Ejoor: Adieu, war hero . Vanguard News . 10 May 2019 . 21 July 2024 . "Ejoor, a Lieutenant Colonel and Commander of the Army Battalion in Enugu, played a major role in neutralising the first military coup of January 15, 1966 which truncated the First Republic." . 22 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240722025100/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/05/major-gen-david-ejoor-adieu-war-hero/ . live .
  5. Web site: Omoigui . Nowamagbe A. . The Midwest Invasion of 1967: Lessons for Today's Geopolitics . Welcome to Dawodu.Net . 3 October 1998 . 21 July 2024 . 21 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240721230527/https://www.dawodu.net/articles/the-midwest-invasion-of-1967-lessons-for-todays-geopolitics-1138 . live .
  6. Web site: TRIBUTE: Samuel Ogbemudia: The man who gave his people swagger . Premium Times Nigeria . 21 July 2024 . 21 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240721230527/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/features-and-interviews/227164-tribute-samuel-ogbemudia-the-man-who-gave-his-people-swagger.html?tztc=1 . live .
  7. Web site: Nigeriaworld -- In memory of George Agbazika Innih and Elizabeth Aina Daniel . nigeriaworld.com . 28 March 1998 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110927173134/https://nigeriaworld.com/columnist/ajayi/111703.html . 27 September 2011 . dead . 21 July 2024.
  8. Web site: Cahoon . Ben . Nigerian States . World Statesmen.org . 27 May 1967 . 21 July 2024 . 13 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210513043909/https://www.worldstatesmen.org/Nigeria_federal_states.htm . live .
  9. Web site: Babah . Chinedu . OSADEBAY, Chief Dennis Chukudebe . Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation . 8 March 2017 . 21 July 2024 . 20 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240520181025/https://blerf.org/index.php/biography/osadebay-chief-dennis-chukudebe/ . live .
  10. Web site: 11 March 2017 . Dr Samuel Ogbemudia dies at 84: Nigerian reacts... . 21 July 2024 . Tribune Online . 26 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240726153048/https://tribuneonlineng.com/dr-samuel-ogbemudia-dies-84-nigerian-reacts/ . live .
  11. Uzebu-Imarhiagbe . Enibokun . Women in the Nigerian judiciary: considerable headway or organised progress? . International Journal of the Legal Profession . 27 . 2 . 3 May 2020 . 0969-5958 . 10.1080/09695958.2020.1750410 . 7.
  12. Book: Momah, S. . Nigeria Beyond Divorce: Amalgamation in Perspective . Safari Books . 2013 . 978-978-8431-34-3 . . 23 July 2024 . 51 . 26 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240726153410/https://publikationen.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/opus4/frontdoor/deliver/index/docId/60018/file/9789788431572.pdf . live .
  13. Web site: Television . Channels . Edo state: The heartbeat of the Nation . Channels Television . 26 March 2012 . 23 July 2024 . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027095045/https://www.channelstv.com/2012/03/26/edo-state-the-heartbeat-of-the-nation/ . live .
  14. News: Eweka . Richard Okoro . Edo State At 22: The Journey So Far! . . . 27 August 2013 . 38 . 297 . 17 . . 23 July 2024 . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240723165002/https://issuu.com/nigerian_observer/docs/nigerian_observer_27-08-2013 . live .
  15. Web site: Agabi . Chris . Bello . Usman A. . Ex-gov of old Bendel State, Husaini Abdullahi, dies – Daily Trust . Daily Trust . 11 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190719084127/https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ex-gov-of-old-bendel-state-husaini-abdullahi-dies.html . 19 July 2019 . unfit . 21 July 2024.
  16. Web site: Emir of Deba, Waziri Mahdi dies at 85 . Daily Trust . 23 March 2017 . 24 July 2024 . 26 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240726075034/https://dailytrust.com/emir-of-deba-waziri-mahdi-dies-at-85/ . live .
  17. Web site: Nigerian states . Rulers . 27 May 1967 . 24 July 2024 . 30 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230730142147/https://rulers.org/nigastat.html . live .
  18. Book: Irene, O.F. . Footpaths: A Life of Service : Tribute to Prof. Ambrose Folorunsho Alli : a Compendium of Achievements . 1990 . 25 July 2024 . 1 . 26 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240726153253/https://books.google.com/books?id=-KYuAQAAIAAJ . live .
  19. Book: Okonkwo, I. . Jeremiah Timbut Useni: Portrait of a Gentleman General in Selfless Service . 1995 . 978-978-2925-00-8 . 25 July 2024 . 130 . 26 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240726153230/https://books.google.com/books?id=BWMuAQAAIAAJ . live .
  20. Web site: THISDAYonline . thisdayonline.com . 10 February 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050910053610/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/02/10/20020210news03.html . 10 September 2005 . dead . 25 July 2024.
  21. Web site: Edo State Profile . Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre . 26 July 2024 . 26 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240726075446/https://cirddoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Edo_State.pdf . live .
  22. Web site: Ayeni . Victor . Obaseki leads Nigerian delegation to Italy exhibition . Punch Newspapers . 13 April 2024 . 25 July 2024 . 21 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240621095320/https://punchng.com/obaseki-leads-nigerian-delegation-to-italy-exhibition/ . live .
  23. Web site: Edo State Governor Election 2020: Meet di former governors of Edo state and dia biography . BBC News Pidgin . 30 August 2020 . 26 July 2024 . 21 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220221191308/https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/media-53950600 . live .
  24. Web site: Investors . The . Practitioners . The . John Odigie Oyegun: Founding Chairman – The Sun Nigeria . The Sun Nigeria . 6 March 2024 . 26 July 2024.
  25. News: OGUGBUAJA . CHARLES . AKHAINE . SAXONE . Onyearugbulem: Shock, Disbelief Greet Death . . 28 July 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304201234/http://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/ngguardian/2002/jul/28/article03.html . 4 March 2016 . dead . 26 July 2024 .
  26. Book: People's Democratic Party (Nigeria) . Senator (Professor) Oserheimen Osunbor for Governor, 2007 . PDP . 2007 . 26 July 2024 . 6 . 26 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240726153251/https://books.google.com/books?id=x0gdAQAAMAAJ . live .
  27. Web site: Obaseki: Who be di Edo state govnor wey port go PDP? . BBC News Pidgin . 20 June 2020 . 26 July 2024 . 21 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211021182702/https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-53118533 . live .
  28. Web site: 20 June 2020 . Edo 2020: Obaseki joins PDP . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200621063120/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/398491-breaking-edo-2020-obaseki-joins-pdp.html . 21 June 2020 . 20 June 2020 . Premium Times.