List of governors of Ondo State

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Governor of Ondo State
Seal of Ondo State.png
Seal of Ondo State
Flag of Ondo State.png
Flag of Ondo State
Lucky Aiyedatiwa.jpg
Incumbent
Lucky Aiyedatiwa
since 27 December 2023
Executive Branch of the Ondo State Government
Style
Type
Member of
  • Ondo State Executive Branch
  • Ondo State Cabinet
Residence Ondo State Government House
Seat Akure
Appointer Direct popular election or via succession from deputy governorship
Term length Four years
renewable once
Constituting instrument Constitution of Nigeria
Inaugural holder Ita David Ikpeme
Formation3 February 1976
(49 years ago)
 (1976-02-03)
Deputy Deputy Governor of Ondo State
Website ondostate.gov.ng

The governor of Ondo State is the head of government of Ondo State in Nigeria. The governor is the head of the executive branch of the Ondo State Government. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Ondo State House of Assembly, to convene the legislature and grant pardons.

Contents

When Ondo State was created from the Western State in 1976, Group Captain Ita David Ikpeme was appointed its first governor. Olusegun Mimiko served the longest term as governor, serving for two consecutive terms of 4 years from 2009 to 2017. [1]

Since the creation of the state in 1976, 19 people have served as governor, 12 military governors and 7 civilian governors. Brigadier General Raji Rasaki served the shortest term in office of 7 months.

The current governor is Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was sworn in on 27 December 2023 following the death of Rotimi Akeredolu. [2] [3]

Governors

Military governors (1976–1979)

Ondo State was created on 3 February 1976 and General Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Ita David Ikpeme as military governor on 17 March 1976.

GovernorTerm of officePartyRef.
No.PortraitName
(birth–death)
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
1 No image.svg Group Captain
Ita David Ikpeme
17 March 197624 July 19782 years, 129 daysMilitary
2 No image.svg Brigadier
Sunday Tuoyo
(1935–2022)
24 July 19781 October 19791 year, 69 days

Second Republic (1979–1983)

Under the 1979 Constitution, the second constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the governor was both head of state and government. The governor was elected for a four-year term. In the event of a vacancy the deputy governor would have served as acting governor.

GovernorTerm of officePolitical partyElectedRef.
No.PortraitName
(birth–death)
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
3 Statue of Adekunle Ajasin, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State.jpg Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin
(1908–1997)
1 October 197931 December 19834 years, 91 days Unity Party of Nigeria 1979
1983

Military governors (1984–1992)

Major General Muhammadu Buhari was made military head of state following the coup d'ètat of 1983, which overthrew the Second Republic. He appointed his military governors in January 1984. He was in turn overthrown by General Ibrahim Babangida on 27 August 1985.

GovernorTerm of officePartyRef.
No.PortraitName
(birth–death)
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
4 No image.svg Commodore
Michael Bamidele Otiko
(1934–1999)
2 January 19842 September 19851 year, 7 monthsMilitary
5 No image.svg Navy Captain
Michael Okhai Akhigbe
(1946–2013)
2 September 198526 August 198611 months
6 No image.svg Colonel
Ekundayo B. Opaleye
(1946–2023)
26 August 198617 December 19871 year, 3 months
7 No image.svg Brigadier General
Raji Alagbe Rasaki
(born 1947)
17 December 1987July 19887 months
8 No image.svg Commodore
Bode George
(born 1945)
July 19883 September 19902 years, 1 month
9 No image.svg Navy Captain
Sunday Abiodun Olukoya
(1949–2021)
3 September 19903 January 19921 year, 4 months

Third Republic (1992–1993)

Under the 1979 Constitution, the second constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the governor was both head of state and government. The governor was elected for a four-year term. In the event of a vacancy the deputy governor would have served as acting governor.

GovernorTerm of officePolitical partyElectedRef.
No.PortraitName
(birth–death)
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
10 No image.svg Bamidele Olumilua
(1940–2020)
3 January 199217 November 19931 year, 318 days Social Democratic Party 1991

Military administrators (1993–1999)

General Sani Abacha led the palace coup d'ètat of 1993 which overthrew the Third Republic. He appointed his military administrators in December 1993.

AdministratorTerm of officePartyRef.
No.PortraitName
(birth–death)
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
11 No image.svg Colonel
Mike Torey
(1950–2013)
9 December 1993September 19949 monthsMilitary
12 No image.svg Colonel
Ahmed Usman
(1951–2021)
September 199422 August 19961 year, 11 months
13 No image.svg Navy Captain
Anthony Onyearugbulem
(1955–2002)
22 August 19967 August 19981 year, 11 months
14 No image.svg Colonel
Moses Fasanya
7 August 199829 May 19999 months

Fourth Republic (1999–present)

Under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the governor is both head of state and government. The governor is elected for a four-year term. In the event of a vacancy, the deputy governor would serve as acting governor.

GovernorTerm of officePolitical partyElectedRef.
No.PortraitName
(birth–death)
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
15 No image.svg Chief Adebayo Adefarati
(1931–2007)
29 May 199929 May 20034 years Alliance for Democracy 1999
16 No image.svg Olusegun Agagu
(1948–2013)
29 May 200323 February 20095 years, 270 days Peoples Democratic Party 2003
2007
17 Mimiko Closeup.jpg Olusegun Mimiko
(born 1954)
24 February 200924 February 20178 years Labour Party
Peoples Democratic Party
2012
18 Rotimi Akeredolu
(1956–2023)
24 February 201727 December 20236 years, 306 days All Progressives Congress 2016
2020
19 No image.svg Lucky Aiyedatiwa
(born 1965)
27 December 2023Incumbent1 year, 236 days All Progressives Congress 2024

See also

References

  1. "Mimiko sworn-in for second term". The Nation . 24 February 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  2. "JUST IN: Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo governor, dies at 67". The Cable . 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  3. "Governor Akeredolu goes on another medical leave". Premium Times Nigeria. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.