Akwa Ibom State, located in the South South geopolitical zone of Nigeria, has been governed by a succession of military governors, administrators, and elected governors since its creation in 1987. Before 1987, it formed part of the Eastern Region until the military dissolved Nigeria's regional structure in 1967.[a] Following the reorganisation, the area became part of the newly created South-Eastern State on 27 May 1967. The South-Eastern State, comprising the present-day states of Akwa Ibom and Cross River, remained under military rule until Nigeria's brief civilian transition in 1979. In 1976, under the Murtala Mohammed administration, South-Eastern State was renamed Cross River State.
For over a decade, the region that would become Akwa Ibom was administered as part of Cross River State. The military government of Ibrahim Babangida created Akwa Ibom State on 23 September 1987, carving it out from the southeastern portion of Cross River State. Upon its creation, Akwa Ibom was governed by military administrators, starting with Tunde Ogbeha (1987–1988), followed by Godwin Abbe (1988–1990), and Idongesit Nkanga (1990–1992). Nigeria's return to democratic rule in the short-lived Third Republic saw Akpan Isemin of the National Republican Convention (NRC) become the state's first elected civilian governor in January 1992. His administration was ended by the military coup of November 1993, after which the state reverted to military rule with Yakubu Bako, Joseph Adeusi, and John Ebiye as administrators.
The dawn of the Fourth Republic in 1999 ushered in an era of uninterrupted democratic governance in Akwa Ibom. Victor Attah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) became governor and served two terms from 1999 to 2007. He was succeeded by Godswill Akpabio (2007–2015). Akpabio's successor, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, also of the PDP, served from 2015 to 2023. In 2023, Umo Bassey Eno, also a PDP candidate, was elected governor and is the incumbent.
List of governors
Eastern Region
Before Nigeria's independence in 1960, the territory that now constitutes Akwa Ibom State was part of the Eastern Region, one of the country's original administrative divisions.[4] During the colonial era, British officials governed the Eastern Region, with Clement Pleass (1954–1956) and Robert Stapledon (1956–1960) serving as governors. After independence, Francis Akanu Ibiam (1960–1966) became the first Nigerian governor of the Eastern Region, while Michael Okpara served as its premier (1960–1966). However, following Nigeria's first military coup in January 1966, the military abolished the regional system, dismissed civilian premiers, and appointed military administrators, with Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu governing the Eastern Region from January 1966 until its dissolution in May 1967.[4][5] A premier was responsible for the region's executive functions.[6] Administrators were usually appointed to rule a state when there is a political crisis or state of emergency.[7]
South-Eastern State
Following Nigeria's restructuring under Yakubu Gowon in 1967, the Eastern Region was divided into three new states: East Central State, Rivers State, and South-Eastern State.[4] South-Eastern State remained under military administration, with Uduokaha Esuene appointed as its first military governor (1967–1975). After the 1976 state reorganisation under Murtala Mohammed, the state was renamed Cross River State.[8]
A military governor was the head of a state during Nigeria's military era, appointed by the head of the federal military government to administer states, as established by Decree No. 14 of 1967. He exercised executive powers on behalf of the central military government.[9] In contrast, an executive governor is the democratically elected chief executive of a state under the 1999 Constitution, empowered to lead the state government, implement laws, and oversee public administration. The deputy governor is elected on the same ticket as the governor and serves as the second-in-command, assuming the governorship in the event of the governor's death, incapacitation, or resignation, and assisting in administrative duties as assigned.[2]
Akwa Ibom State was created on 23 September 1987 by the military government of Ibrahim Babangida from the southeastern part of Cross River State. The state is named after the Qua Iboe River, is Nigeria's 21st state, and has Uyo as its capital. It borders Cross River to the east, Abia State and Rivers State to the west and northwest, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south.[25]
↑ Nigeria's regional system of government was a decentralised political structure where the country was divided into autonomous regions—each with its own legislature, executive, and judiciary—allowing them to govern internal affairs and manage resources independently, while still operating under a central federal authority.[3]
↑ For elected governors, the month and year of their election into office/inauguration to the position is shown.
↑ For elected governors, the month and year of their election into office/inauguration to the position is shown.
Fejokwu, Law C. (1995). Nigeria, the military & political leadership: a compendium on the socio-economic & development dynamics. Polcom Press. OCLC35643343.
Ibanga, Albert; Akwaowo, Enefiok; Afangide, Augustine; Ekpo, Victor; Iffen, Immaculata (1992). A New era: a souvenir publication to mark the first 100 days of Governor Akpan Isemin's administration (January 2-April 10, 1992). Dept. of Information and Culture, Office of the Governor. OCLC27237872.
Onuaguluchi, Gilbert (1990). The Giant in Turbulent Storms: The Story of Nigeria (1944–1987). Vantage Press. ISBN978-0-533-08403-6.
Fejokwu, Law C.; Adefolalu, A. A. (1992). Political Leadership Handbook and Who's who. Polcom Nigeria. ISBN978-978-31594-0-2.
Alabi, Mojeed Olujinmi A. (2005). "Emergency Powers in Nigeria: Legal and Constitutional Issues". The Constitution. 5 (4): 1–22. hdl:10520/AJA15955753_142.
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