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.
Governor of Edo State | |
---|---|
![]() Seal of Edo State of Nigeria | |
![]() Flag of Edo State of Nigeria | |
since 12 November 2016 | |
Government of Edo State | |
Style |
|
Type | Head of state Head of government |
Member of | Edo State Executive Branch National Economic Council |
Reports to | President of Nigeria |
Residence | Government House, Benin City [1] |
Seat | Benin City |
Appointer | Popular vote |
Term length | Four years, renewable once consecutively |
Constituting instrument | Constitution of Nigeria |
Precursor | Military Governor of Edo State |
Inaugural holder | John E.K Odigie-Oyegun |
Formation | 27 August 1991 |
Deputy | Deputy Governor of Edo State |
Website | edostate |
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
editMid-Western Region
editPrior to the establishment of Edo State, the area was part of the Mid-Western Region of Nigeria, created on 9 August 1963.[2][3] 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.[3]
Chief Dennis Osadebay served as the region's first civilian leader, premier from August 1963 to January 1966.[4] Political turmoil led to military administrations, starting with Lt. Col. David Akpode Ejoor in January 1966.[5] The region experienced occupation during the Nigerian Civil War, with Major Albert Okonkwo administering the area from August to September 1967.[6]
Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia served as military governor from September 1967 to July 1975.[7] Col. George Agbazika Innih and Commodore Husaini Abdullahi later served as military governors.[8][9] The Mid-Western Region's administrative history is relevant to the formation and early governance of Edo State.
No. | Name | Title | Term in office | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dennis Osadebay (1911–1994) [10] |
Premier | August 1963 – January 1966 |
First and only Premier of the Mid-Western Region | |
2 | David Akpode Ejoor (1932–2019) [5] |
Military Governor | January 1966[a] – August 1967 |
First military governor following the 1966 Nigerian coup d'état | |
3 | — | Albert Okonkwo (????–????) |
Biafran Occupation Administrator | August 1967 – September 1967 |
Administered the region under Biafran control during the Nigerian Civil War |
4 | Samuel Ogbemudia (1932–2017) [12] |
Military Governor | September 1967[b] – July 1975 |
Known for post-war reconstruction and development projects[13] |
Bendel State
editFollowing the administrative changes in Nigeria, the Mid-Western Region was renamed Bendel State on 17 March 1976.[14] This renaming was part of a broader national effort to reorganise Nigeria's states and local governments under the regime of General Murtala Mohammed.[15] Bendel State combined areas of the old Mid-Western Region with Benin City as its capital.[16]
Col. George Agbazika Innih was the first military governor of Bendel State.[17] 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.[18]
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.[18]
No. | Name | Title | Term in office | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | George Agbazika Innih (1938–2002) [8] |
Military Governor | August 1975 – March 1976 |
Oversaw transition period following Ogbemudia's administration. | |
2 | Husaini Abdullahi (1939–2019) [19] |
Military Governor | March 1976[c] – July 1978 |
Continued military governance during the era of General Olusegun Obasanjo's military regime. | |
3 | Abubakar Waziri (1940–2017) [20][21] |
Military Governor | 24 July 1978 – 30 September 1979 |
Also served as a brigade commander for Nigeria Army Benin City.[18] | |
4 | Ambrose Folorunsho Alli (1929–1989) [22] |
Executive Governor | October 1979 – September 1983 |
Elected as the first civilian governor of Bendel under the umbrella of the Unity Party of Nigeria.[18] | |
5 | Samuel Ogbemudia (1922–2017) [12] |
Executive Governor | October 1983 – 31 December 1983 |
Brief return to civilian rule under the umbrella of the National Party of Nigeria before the 1983 military coup.[18] | |
6 | — | Jeremiah Useni (b. 1943) [23] |
Military Governor | January 1984 – 27 August 1985 |
|
7 | John Mark Inienger (1945–2002) [24][25] |
Military Governor | September 1985 – July 1988 |
||
8 | — | Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha (b. 1945) [24] |
Military Governor | July 1988 – August 1990 |
|
9 | — | John Ewerekumoh Yeri (????–????) |
Military Governor | August 1990 – 27 August 1991 [d] |
Last military governor before the creation of Edo and Delta States.[26] |
Edo State
editEdo State was established on 27 August 1991, following the division of Bendel State into Edo and Delta States.[27] Edo State, with Benin City as its capital, has a cultural heritage and economic potential.[28] 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.[24]
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.[24]
No. | Governor | Term in office | Party | Election | D. Governor[e] | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | — | John Ewerekumoh Yeri (????–????) |
27 August 1991 – January 1992 |
Military | N/A | Office did not exist | ||
2 | — | John Odigie Oyegun (b. 1939) [29][30] |
January 1992[31] – November 1993 |
SDP [31] |
1991 | |||
3 | — | Mohammed Abul-Salam Onuka (????–????) |
9 December 1993 – 14 September 1994 [30] |
Military | N/A | |||
4 | — | Bassey Asuquo (????–????) |
14 September 1994 – 22 August 1996 [30] |
Military | N/A | |||
5 | — | Baba Adamu Iyam (1948–????) [30] |
22 August 1996 – 7 August 1998 [f][30] |
Military | N/A | |||
6 | — | Anthony Onyearugbulem (1955–2002) [30][32] |
7 August 1998 – 29 May 1999 [30] |
Military | N/A | |||
7 | — | Lucky Igbinedion (b. 1957) [30] |
29 May 1999 – 29 May 2007 |
PDP [30] |
1999 2003 |
Mike Oghiadomhe | ||
8 | Oserheimen Osunbor (b. 1951) [33][30] |
29 May 2007 – 11 November 2008 (election declared invalid by Election Tribunal in March 2008)[30] |
PDP [30] |
2007 | Lucky Imasuen | |||
9 | Adams Oshiomhole (b. 1952) [30] |
12 November 2008 – 12 November 2016 (declared winner of the 2007 election on 11 November 2008)[30] |
ACN[30] | 2007 2012 |
Pius Odubu | |||
APC | ||||||||
10 | Godwin Obaseki (b. 1957) [34] |
12 November 2016 – Incumbent |
APC[30] (2014–2020) |
2016 | Philip Shaibu (November 2016 – April 2024) | |||
PDP[34][35] (2020–present) |
2020 | Omobayo Godwins (since April 2024) Philip Shaibu (since July 2024) |
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ The 15 January 1966, military coup in Nigeria led to Ejoor's appointment as Military Governor of the Midwest Region. As Lieutenant-Colonel and Commander of the Army Battalion in Enugu, he was involved in the events surrounding the coup. Following the coup, Ejoor became a member of the Supreme Military Council (SMC), Nigeria's highest governing body.[11]
- ^ In September 1967, Ogbemudia was appointed military administrator after Biafran troops entered the state. David Ejoor, the previous military governor, had left the state. Ogbemudia then took on the role of military governor.[7]
- ^ Following the unsuccessful Dimka coup, the Supreme Military Council reorganised the governance structure. On 15 March 1976, it was announced that Col. George Agbazika Innih would be reassigned from Bendel State to Kwara State, which had been without a permanent governor since Taiwo's assassination. Concurrently, Captain Hussein Abdullahi, a naval officer, was appointed to succeed Innih in Bendel State.[17]
- ^ Col. John Ewerekumoh Yeri served as Military Governor of Bendel State from August 1990 to August 1991. After the state's division, Yeri became the first Military Governor of Edo State, serving from 27 August 1991, to January 1992. He was followed by John Odigie-Oyegun, who took office in January 1992. Air Commodore Luke Chijiuba Ochulor was appointed as the first Military Administrator of Delta State. Elections were held, and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) won the gubernatorial election.[24][26]
- ^ Deputy governors represented the same party as their governor.
- ^ Known to have dismissed over 8,000 state workers and stopped all government grants to Edo State University Ekpoma (now known as Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma)[30]
References
editCitations
edit- ^ "Edo State Governor". Nigeria Governors' Forum. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ State, MIDWEST (6 June 1968). "Mid-Western State Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Programme 1968-70". Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. Archived from the original on 21 July 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ a b Abernethy 1964, p. 8.
- ^ Osadebay, CHUKUDE Dennis (1955). "Senate President". National Repository. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ a b Okogba, Emmanuel (10 May 2019). "Major-Gen David Ejoor: Adieu, war hero". Vanguard News. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 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.
- ^ Omoigui, Nowamagbe A. (3 October 1998). "The Midwest Invasion of 1967: Lessons for Today's Geopolitics". Welcome to Dawodu.Net. Archived from the original on 21 July 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ a b "TRIBUTE: Samuel Ogbemudia: The man who gave his people swagger". Premium Times Nigeria. Archived from the original on 21 July 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Nigeriaworld -- In memory of George Agbazika Innih and Elizabeth Aina Daniel". nigeriaworld.com. 28 March 1998. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ Cahoon, Ben (27 May 1967). "Nigerian States". World Statesmen.org. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ Babah, Chinedu (8 March 2017). "OSADEBAY, Chief Dennis Chukudebe". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ The Nation (14 February 2019). "David Ejoor (1932 – 2019)". The Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Dr Samuel Ogbemudia dies at 84: Nigerian reacts..." Tribune Online. 11 March 2017. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ Iweze & Anyanwu 2021, p. 217.
- ^ Uzebu-Imarhiagbe, Enibokun (3 May 2020). "Women in the Nigerian judiciary: considerable headway or organised progress?". International Journal of the Legal Profession. 27 (2): 7. doi:10.1080/09695958.2020.1750410. ISSN 0969-5958.
- ^ Momah, S. (2013). Nigeria Beyond Divorce: Amalgamation in Perspective (PDF). Safari Books. p. 51. ISBN 978-978-8431-34-3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024 – via Goethe University Frankfurt.
- ^ Television, Channels (26 March 2012). "Edo state: The heartbeat of the Nation". Channels Television. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ a b Hochschild, Adam (23 April 2005). "allAfrica.com: Nigeria [book review]: Vanguard Book Serials: Not His Master's Voice, By Peter Ajayi". allafrica.com. Archived from the original on 23 April 2005. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Eweka, Richard Okoro (27 August 2013). "Edo State At 22: The Journey So Far!". Nigerian Observer. Vol. 38, no. 297. Nigerian Observer. p. 17. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024 – via Issuu.
- ^ Agabi, Chris; Bello, Usman A. (11 July 2019). "Ex-gov of old Bendel State, Husaini Abdullahi, dies – Daily Trust". Daily Trust. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Emir of Deba, Waziri Mahdi dies at 85". Daily Trust. 23 March 2017. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ "Nigerian states". Rulers. 27 May 1967. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ Irene, O.F. (1990). Footpaths: A Life of Service : Tribute to Prof. Ambrose Folorunsho Alli : a Compendium of Achievements. p. 1. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ Okonkwo, I. (1995). Jeremiah Timbut Useni: Portrait of a Gentleman General in Selfless Service. p. 130. ISBN 978-978-2925-00-8. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Eweka 2013, p. 20.
- ^ "THISDAYonline". thisdayonline.com. 10 February 2002. Archived from the original on 10 September 2005. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Colonel John Ewerekumoh yeri (August 1990 – August 1991) Bendel state &(August 1991 – January 1992) Edo State". edostate.gov.ng. 11 March 2016. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ "Edo State Profile" (PDF). Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ Ayeni, Victor (13 April 2024). "Obaseki leads Nigerian delegation to Italy exhibition". Punch Newspapers. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ "Edo State Governor Election 2020: Meet di former governors of Edo state and dia biography". BBC News Pidgin. 30 August 2020. Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Eweka 2013, p. 24.
- ^ a b Investors, The; Practitioners, The (6 March 2024). "John Odigie Oyegun: Founding Chairman – The Sun Nigeria". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ OGUGBUAJA, CHARLES; AKHAINE, SAXONE (28 July 2002). "Onyearugbulem: Shock, Disbelief Greet Death". Guardian Nigeria. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ People's Democratic Party (Nigeria) (2007). Senator (Professor) Oserheimen Osunbor for Governor, 2007. PDP. p. 6. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Obaseki: Who be di Edo state govnor wey port go PDP?". BBC News Pidgin. 20 June 2020. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ "Edo 2020: Obaseki joins PDP". Premium Times. 20 June 2020. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
Sources
edit- Abernethy, D. B. (1964). "Nigeria creates a new region". Africa Report. ISSN 0001-9836. OCLC 772663659.
- Iweze, Daniel Olisa; Anyanwu, Uchenna (26 February 2021). "Post-Nigerian Civil War Community Reconstruction Strategies in (Anioma) Western Igboland, 1970-1991". Revista Brasileira de Estudos Africanos. 5 (10). doi:10.22456/2448-3923.104799. ISSN 2448-3923.