Governor of Edo State | |
---|---|
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 |
Inaugural holder | John E.K Odigie-Oyegun |
Formation | 27 August 1991 |
Deputy | Deputy Governor of Edo State |
Edo State, situated in Nigeria's southern region, has had various leaders since Nigeria gained independence in 1960, both military and civilian. After independence, Nigeria had only three regions, and the area of the future Edo State was located in the Western Region. The Mid-Western Region was separated from the Western Region in August 1963 and had Dennis Osadebay as its initial Premier. Osadebay served until January 1966, when he was replaced by David Akpode Ejoor, the first military governor. Control of the region was contested during the Biafran War (1967–1970), and Ejoor was replaced by 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 George Agbazika Innih, 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, Lucky Igbinedion served from 1999 to 2007, and was succeeded by Oserheimen Osunbor. Adams Oshiomhole served from 2008 to 2016, followed by Godwin Obaseki, who was re-elected in 2020.
The Western Region was governed by a ceremonial governor and a Premier. Adesoji Aderemi served as the Governor of the Western Region, while Samuel Ladoke Akintola held the position of Premier. [2] The Premier was responsible for the executive functions, while the governor's role was largely ceremonial, representing the British monarchy until Nigeria became a republic in 1963. [3]
In 1962, a political crisis occurred when Governor Aderemi dismissed Akintola following allegations of corruption and maladministration. This led to a state of emergency in the region. [2] [4] During the emergency, Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi was appointed as the temporary administrator, displacing the region's political leadership. [3] After six months, Akintola was reinstated as Premier following a court ruling overturning his dismissal. [2] The political instability during this period contributed to the regional tensions that persisted even after the Western Region was split and the Mid-Western Region was created in 1963. [4] [5]
The Mid-Western Region of Nigeria was created on 9 August 1963. [6] [7] The region was carved out of the Western Region, becoming Nigeria's fourth region. The Mid-Western Region initially had a premier, but later military governors would also serve as the chief officials. [7]
Dennis Osadebay served as the region's first civilian leader, and was premier from August 1963 to January 1966. [8] Political turmoil led to military administrations, starting with David Akpode Ejoor in January 1966. [9] The region was taken by the Biafran Armed Forces during the Nigerian Civil War, with Albert Okonkwo administering the area from August to September 1967 on behalf of Biafra. [10]
Samuel Ogbemudia served as military governor from September 1967 to July 1975. [11]
No. | Name | Title | Term in office | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dennis Osadebay (1911–1994) [12] | Premier | August 1963 – January 1966 | First and only Premier of the Mid-Western Region | |
2 | David Ejoor (1932–2019) [9] | Military Governor | January 1966 [a] – August 1967 | First military governor following the 1966 Nigerian coup d'état | |
3 | — | Albert Okonkwo | Administrator | August 1967 – September 1967 | Administered the region under Biafran control during the Nigerian Civil War |
4 | Samuel Ogbemudia (1932–2017) [14] | Military Governor | September 1967 [b] – July 1975 | Known for post-war reconstruction and development projects [15] |
Following administrative changes in Nigeria, the Mid-Western Region was renamed Bendel State on 17 March 1976. [16] This renaming was part of a broader national effort to reorganise Nigeria's states and local governments, under the regime of General Murtala Mohammed. [17]
George Agbazika Innih was the first military governor of Bendel State. [18] He was followed by 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. 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. 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. [19]
Jeremiah Timbut Useni took office in January 1984 and led till 27 August 1985, followed by John Mark Inienger from September 1985 to July 1988. Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha governed from July 1988 to August 1990, and 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 formed Edo State. [19]
No. | Name | Title | Term in office | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | George Agbazika Innih (1938–2002) [20] | Military Governor | August 1975 – March 1976 | Oversaw the transition period following Ogbemudia's administration. | |
2 | Husaini Abdullahi (1939–2019) [21] | Military Governor | March 1976 [c] – July 1978 | Continued military governance during the era of General Olusegun Obasanjo's military regime. | |
3 | Abubakar Waziri (b. 1940) [22] | Military Governor | 24 July 1978 – 30 September 1979 | Also served as a brigade commander for Nigeria Army Benin City. [19] | |
4 | Ambrose Folorunsho Alli (1929–1989) [23] | Executive Governor | October 1979 – September 1983 | Elected as the first civilian governor of Bendel under the umbrella of the Unity Party of Nigeria. [19] | |
5 | Samuel Ogbemudia (1922–2017) [14] | 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. [19] | |
6 | — | Jeremiah Useni (b. 1943) [24] | Military Governor | January 1984 – 27 August 1985 | |
7 | John Mark Inienger (1945–2002) [25] [26] | Military Governor | September 1985 – July 1988 | ||
8 | — | Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha (b. 1945) [25] | 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. [27] |
Edo State was established on 27 August 1991, following the division of Bendel State into Edo and Delta States. [28] Edo State, with Benin City as its capital, has a cultural heritage and economic potential. [29] The state has experienced various governance phases, including military and civilian administrations.
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 Mohammed Abul-Salam Onuka, Bassey Asuquo, Baba Adamu Iyam, and Anthony Onyearugbulem, who governed until the return to civilian rule in 1999. [25]
A new office was created for the 1999 elections, that of deputy governor of Edo State. Deputies were elected on a joint ticket with the gubernatorial candidate, and thus share the same party by default. In 1999, Lucky Igbinedion was elected governor. He served two terms, until 2007. He was followed by Oserheimen Osunbor, Adams Oshiomhole, and Godwin Obaseki. [25] In 2024, Monday Okpebholo was elected governor. [30]
No. | Governor | Term in office | Party | Election | D. Governor | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | — | John Ewerekumoh Yeri | 27 August 1991 – January 1992 | Military | N/A | Office did not exist | ||
2 | — | John Odigie Oyegun (b. 1939) [31] [32] | January 1992 [33] – November 1993 | SDP [33] | 1991 | |||
3 | — | Mohammed Abul-Salam Onuka | 9 December 1993 – 14 September 1994 [32] | Military | N/A | |||
4 | — | Bassey Asuquo | 14 September 1994 – 22 August 1996 [32] | Military | N/A | |||
5 | — | Baba Adamu Iyam (b. 1948) [32] | 22 August 1996 – 7 August 1998 [e] [32] | Military | N/A | |||
6 | — | Anthony Onyearugbulem (1955–2002) [32] [34] | 7 August 1998 – 29 May 1999 [32] | Military | N/A | |||
7 | — | Lucky Igbinedion (b. 1957) [32] | 29 May 1999 – 29 May 2007 | PDP [32] | 1999 2003 | Mike Oghiadomhe | ||
8 | Oserheimen Osunbor (b. 1951) [35] [32] | 29 May 2007 – 11 November 2008 (election declared invalid by Election Tribunal in March 2008) [32] | PDP [32] | 2007 | Lucky Imasuen | |||
9 | Adams Oshiomhole (b. 1952) [32] | 12 November 2008 – 12 November 2016 (declared winner of the 2007 election on 11 November 2008) [32] | ACN [32] | 2007 2012 | Pius Odubu | |||
APC | ||||||||
10 | Godwin Obaseki (b. 1957) [36] | 12 November 2016 – 12 November 2024 | APC [32] (2016–2020) | 2016 | Philip Shaibu (November 2016 – April 2024) | |||
PDP [36] [37] (2020–2024) | 2020 | Omobayo Godwins (April 2024 – November 2024) Philip Shaibu (July 2024 – November 2024) | ||||||
11 | Monday Okpebholo (b. 1970) [38] | 12 November 2024 – Incumbent | APC [38] | 2024 | Dennis Idahosa |
Benin City is the capital and largest city of Edo State, southern Nigeria. It is the fourth-largest city in Nigeria according to the 2006 census, after Lagos, Kano, and Ibadan.
Edo, officially known as Edo State, is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of the federal republic of Nigeria. As of 2022, the state was ranked as the 22nd most populous state (4,777,000) in Nigeria. The estimated state population is around 4,777,000 in 2022. Edo State is the 22nd largest State by landmass in Nigeria. The state's capital and largest city, Benin City, is the fourth largest city in Nigeria, and the centre of the country's rubber industry. Created in 1991 from the former Bendel State, it is also known as the heart beat of the nation. Edo State borders Kogi State to the north for 133 km and across the Niger River for 81 km to the northeast, Anambra State to the east for about four km across the Niger River, Delta State to the southeast and south for 350 km, and Ondo State to the west.
Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion is a Nigerian politician who served as the governor of Edo State from 1999 to 2007. He is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Bendel Insurance Football Club, also known as Insurance of Benin Football Club or simply Bendel Insurance, is a football club based in Benin City, Nigeria. The club plays in the Nigeria Premier League. They were originally known as the Vipers of Benin. They play their home matches at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, which has a capacity of 12,000. They are the current champions of the Federation Cup after defeating Enugu Rangers 1–0 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on June 21, 2023.
The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Benin City, Nigeria. Originally known as Ogbe Stadium, it is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Bendel Insurance FC and Edo Queens FC.
David Akpode Ejoor RCDS, PSC, was a Nigerian military officer who served as Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
George Agbazika Innih was a Nigerian Army general and statesman. He was the military governor of Bendel and Kwara States.
The Edopeople, also referred to as the Beninpeople, are an Edoid-speaking ethnic group. They are prominently native to seven southern local government areas of Edo State, Nigeria. They are speakers of the Edo language and are the descendants of the founders of the Benin Kingdom, Ogiso Igodo. They are closely related to other Edoid ethnic groups, such as the Esan, the Etsakọ, the Isoko and Urhobo as well as other southern ethnic groups
Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia was a Nigerian army officer and politician. He was military Governor (1967–1975) of the Mid-West State, later renamed Bendel State, part of which in turn later became Edo State. After the return to democracy in 1999, he became a powerbroker in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In September 2009, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state and others attended his 77th birthday celebration in Benin. He is noted as one of the founding fathers of the very prestigious University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH)
John Ewerekumoh Yeri was a Nigerian soldier who served as Governor of Bendel State between 1990 and 1991, and then continued as Governor of Edo State until January 1992 after Bendel State was split into Edo State and Delta State. He was military governor during the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, and handed over to an elected civilian governor in January 1992.
John Odigie Oyegun is a Nigerian politician who served as the first national chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria. He was the executive governor of Edo State between 1992 and 1993, during the aborted Third Nigerian Republic.
Mohammed Abul-Salam Onuka was a Nigerian soldier who served as Military Administrator of Edo State between December 1993 and September 1994. He took over from the civilian governor, John Odigie Oyegun, at the start of the military administration of General Sani Abacha.
The Midwest Invasion of 1967 or Midwest Offensive, codenamed Operation Torch, was a military operation between Nigerian and Biafran military forces during the Nigerian Civil War. The invasion began on August 9 when 3,000 Biafran soldiers led by General Victor Banjo crossed the River Niger Bridge into Asaba. Upon reaching Agbor, the Biafrans split up. With the 12th Battalion moving west capturing Benin City and Ore, the 18th Battalion swung south, taking Warri, Sapele and Ughelli, while the 13th Battalion headed north for Auchi, Agenebode and Okene. Simultaneously, a plot to capture Mid-Western Governor David Ejoor at his home in Benin failed. Nevertheless, the Biafrans, meeting virtually no resistance, had seized the entire Mid-Western Region in less than 12 hours.
Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki is a Nigerian politician and businessman who served as the governor of Edo State from 2016 to 2024.
The 2016 Edo State gubernatorial election was held on 28 September, 2016 to determine the Governor of Edo State. The election was originally scheduled for 10 September, however two days before, on 8 September it was postponed due to security concerns.
Edo North senatorial district in Edo State comprises six local government areas which consist of Etsako West, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Owan West, Owan East and Akoko Edo. The headquarters of Edo North is Auchi in Etsako West LGA. The current representative of Edo North is comr. Adams Aliu Oshiomole of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The 1991 Edo State gubernatorial election occurred on December 14, 1991. SDP candidate John Odigie Oyegun won the election.
The 1983 Bendel State gubernatorial election occurred on August 13, 1983. NPN's Samuel Ogbemudia won election for a first term, defeating main opposition UPN candidate, Ambrose Alli, and other party candidates in the contest.
The 1999 Nigerian Senate election in Edo State was held on February 20, 1999, to elect members of the assembly's upper chamber to represent Edo State. Victor Oyofo representing Edo North, Oserheimen Osunbor representing Edo Central and Roland Owie representing Edo South all won on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Precious Imuwahen Ajoonu is a Nigerian curriculum design expert and writer. She is the pioneer Director General of John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) – an Edo State government institution for training of civil servants.
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.
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