This is a list of administrators and governors of Cross River State, Nigeria, including leaders of South-Eastern State. South-Eastern State was formed on May 27, 1967 when Eastern Region was split into East-Central, Rivers and South-Eastern states. The state was renamed Cross River State in 1976.
South-Eastern State | Title | Took office | Left office | Party | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Uduokaha Esuene [1] | Governor | 28 May 1967 | July 1975 | Military | |
Paul Omu [2] | Governor | 3 February 1976 | July 1978 | Military | |
Cross River State | Title | Took office | Left office | Party | Notes |
Paul Omu [2] | Governor | 3 February 1976 | July 1978 | Military | |
Babatunde Elegbede [3] | Governor | July 1978 | October 1979 | Military | |
Clement Isong [4] | Governor | October 1979 | October 1983 | NPN | |
Donald Etiebet | Governor | October 1983 | December 1983 | NPN | NAVY CAPTAIN EDET AKPAN ARCHIBONG; MILITARY GOVERNOR FROM JANUARY 1984 -MAY 1984 |
Dan Archibong [5] | Governor | MAY 1984 | 1986 | Military | |
Eben Ibim Princewill | Governor | 1986 | December 1989 | Military | |
Ernest Attah | Governor | December 1989 | January 1992 | Military | |
Clement Ebri | Governor | January 1992 | November 1993 | NRC | |
Ibrahim Kefas | Administrator | 9 December 1993 | 14 September 1994 | Military | |
Gregory Agboneni | Administrator | 14 September 1994 | 22 August 1996 | Military | |
Umar Farouk Ahmed | Administrator | 22 August 1996 | August 1998 | Military | |
Christopher Osondu | Administrator | August 1998 | May 1999 | Military | |
Donald Duke | Governor | 29 May 1999 | 29 May 2007 | PDP | |
Liyel Imoke [6] | Governor | 29 May 2007 | 29 May 2015 | PDP | |
Benedict Ayade [7] [8] | Governor | 29 May 2015 | 29 May 2023 | APC | |
Bassey Otu [9] [10] | Governor | 29 May 2023 | Incumbent | APC |
Akwa Ibom State is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria on the east by Cross River State for about 114 km mostly across Cross River, on the west by Rivers State for 52 km mostly across the Imo River and Abia State to the west and north for 151 km, and on the south by the Atlantic Ocean. The state takes its name from the Qua Iboe River which bisects the state before flowing into the Bight of Bonny. Akwa Ibom was split from Cross River State in 1987 with its capital as Uyo and 31other local government areas.
Cross River State is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Named for the Cross River, the state was formed from the eastern part of the Eastern Region on 27 May 1967. Its capital is Calabar, it borders to the north through Benue state, to the west through Ebonyi state and Abia state, and to the southwest through Akwa Ibom state, while its eastern border forms part of the national border with Cameroon. Originally known as the South-Eastern State before being renamed in 1976, Cross River state formerly included the area that is now Akwa Ibom state, which became a distinct state in 1987.
Calabar Carnival is an annual carnival held in Cross River State, Nigeria. The carnival holds every December and was declared by the then governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke as an activity to mark Christmas celebration yearly. He said his vision for creating the festival was to make Cross-River a home of tourism and hospitality in Nigeria and Africa. The quality of the festival has grown over the years making it Nigeria's biggest carnival and an internationally recognized festival. It used to be a month-long event that began on the 1st of December, until the former governor of the state, Benedict Ayade reduced it to two weeks after he was elected. During the 2017 carnival, Former governor Benedict Ayade said in his speech that the carnival is to showcase Africa as the richest continent and a blessed place where the young ones should be proud to belong. The carnival has always been entertaining and colourful as different competitions take place and huge cash prizes are won. Calabar which is also known by the name Canaan City, is a city in south-eastern Nigeria. Calabar is actually the capital city of Cross River State. Calabar sits adjacent to the Calabar and Great Kwa Rivers and Falls as well as the creeks of the Cross River.
Liyel Imoke is a Nigerian politician who served as the governor of Cross River State, Nigeria from 29 May 2007 till 29 may 2015. He is a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
Benedict Bengiuoshuye Ayade ; born 2 March 1968) is a Nigerian politician who served as the governor of Cross River State from 2015 to 2023. He served as Senator for Cross River North from 2011 to 2015.
Bassey Edet Otu is a Nigerian politician and the current governor of Cross River State Southern Nigeria. who served as a time senator for Cross River South from 2011 to 2015, and a one time representative of Calabar Municipal/Odukpani constituency of Cross River State, in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2011.
The Cross River State Executive Council is the highest governmental body that plays important roles in the Government of Cross River State, Nigeria, headed by the Governor of Cross River State. The Council consists of the Governor, Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government, and Commissioners who are Chief Executive Officers of Ministries in the State.
Senator Chief Gershom Henry Bassey is a Nigerian politician and multi-millionaire businessman. He is the senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate. He is a senator of the 8th and 9th National Assembly in Nigeria respectively.
The 2019 Cross River State gubernatorial election occurred on March 9, 2019. Incumbent PDP Governor Benedict Ayade won re-election for a second term, defeating APC's John Owan Enoh, and several minor party candidates.
The 2015 Cross River State gubernatorial election was the 9th gubernatorial election of Cross River State. Held on April 11, 2015, the People's Democratic Party nominee Benedict Ayade won the election, defeating Odey Ochicha of the All Progressives Congress.
The 2008 Cross River State gubernatorial election occurred on August 23, 2008. Incumbent PDP Governor Liyel Imoke won re-election in the supplementary election, defeating ANPP candidate, Paul Ukpo, to emerge winner.
The 2023 Nigerian gubernatorial elections were held for state governors in 31 out of 36 Nigerian states. All but three elections were held on 18 March—concurrent with elections to every state house of assembly, three weeks after the presidential election and National Assembly elections—while the Imo State, Kogi State, and Bayelsa State elections will be held on 11 November. The last regular gubernatorial elections for all states were in 2019. All states have a two term limit for Governors which makes 18 incumbent governors ineligible for re-election.
The 2023 Cross River State gubernatorial election took place on 18 March 2023, to elect the Governor of Cross River State, concurrent with elections to the Cross River State House of Assembly as well as twenty-seven other gubernatorial elections and elections to all other state houses of assembly. The election—which was postponed from its original 11 March date—will be held three weeks after the presidential election and National Assembly elections. Incumbent APC Governor Benedict Ayade was term-limited and could not seek re-election to a third term.
The 2019 Nigerian Senate election in Cross River State held on February 23, 2019, to elect members of the Nigerian Senate to represent Cross River State. Onor Sandy Ojang representing Cross River Central, Oko Rose Okoji representing Cross River North and Bassey Gershom Henry representing Cross River South all won on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party.
The 2011 Nigerian Senate election in Cross River State was held on April 9, 2011, to elect members of the Nigerian Senate to represent Cross River State. Benedict Ayade representing Cross River North, Victor Ndoma-Egba representing Cross River Central and Bassey Otu representing Cross River South all won on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party.
Asuquo Ekpenyong is a Nigerian politician and financial analyst. He is the former Cross River State Commissioner for Finance and is currently the senator representing Cross River south senatorial district and the youngest Senator in the Nigerian Senate.
The 2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Cross River State will be held on 25 February 2023, to elect the 3 federal Senators from Cross River State, one from each of the state's three senatorial districts. The elections will coincide with the 2023 presidential election, as well as other elections to the Senate and elections to the House of Representatives; with state elections being held two weeks later. Primaries were held between 4 April and 9 June 2022.
Events in the year 2023 in Nigeria.
Peter Odey is a Nigerian politician who is currently the deputy governor of Cross River State. He is the former leader of the Cross River State House of Assembly.
Marina Resort is a recreational and historical destination in Calabar, the capital city of Cross River State, Nigeria. It was built on May 26, 2007, by former governor Donald Duke, to promote tourism in the state. The resort features a variety of attractions, such as a slave history museum, a cinema, a restaurant, a bar, and a waterfront area.