Category: Governors

The tenure of a governor in Bauchi State follows the Nigerian Constitution, which stipulates a four-year term. After each term, an election is held to determine the next governor. A sitting governor is eligible for only two terms, totaling eight years.

Since its creation on February 3, 1976, Bauchi, one of Nigeria’s oldest states has been governed by both military and civilian leaders. Initially, it experienced military rule before transitioning to civilian governance in 1979. This evolving leadership over the years has significantly contributed to the development of Bauchi State.

To provide insight into the leadership history, the list of past and present Bauchi State governors below outlines their full names, duration in office, and key contributions. Reviewing this list will help you understand the impact each governor had, and you can search further through additional research.

List of Former and New Bauchi State Governors from 1976 to date

#	Name	Title	Period in Office	Party
1	Mohammed Bello Kaliel	Military	Mar 1976 – Jul 1978	Millitary (First military governor)
2	Garba Duba	Military	Jul 1978 – Oct 1979	Military
3	Abubakar Tatari Ali	Civilian	Oct 1979 – Dec 1983	NPN  (First civilian governor)
4	Mohammed Sani Sami	Military	Jan 1984 – Aug 1985	Military
5	Chris Abutu Garuba	Military	Aug 1985 – Dec 1987	Military
6	Joshua Madaki	Military	Dec 1987 – Aug 1990	Military
7	Abu Ali	Military	Aug 1990 – Jan 1992	Military
8	Dahiru Mohammed	Civilian	Jan 1992 – Nov 1993	NRC
9	James Kalau	Military	9 Dec 1993 – 14 Sep 1994	Military
10	Rasheed Adisa Raji	Military	14 Sep 1994 – 22 Aug 1996	Military
11	Theophilus Bamigboye	Military	22 Aug 1996 – Aug 1998	Military
12	Abdul Mshelia	Military	Aug 1998 – May 1999	Military
13	Ahmad Adamu Mu’azu	Civilian	29 May 1999 – 29 May 2007	PDP
14	Isa Yuguda	Civilian	29 May 2007 – 29 May 2015	ANPP
15	Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar	Civilian	29 May 2015 – 29 May 2019	APC
16	Bala Mohammed	Civilian	29 May 2019 – Incumbent	PDP

READ ALSO: ABOUT BAUCHI STATE HISTORY

Who Was the First Governor?

Colonel Mohammed Bello Kaliel was appointed as the first military governor of Bauchi State in 1976, shortly after its creation. He was appointed by General Murtala Muhammad, the then Head of State, who was later assassinated in a coup.

Kaliel’s military background and experience as an instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy equipped him to establish an administrative foundation for the newly formed state. He sourced experienced professionals from Maiduguri and other nearby areas to build a capable government structure in Bauchi.

One of his earliest priorities was addressing the lack of clean water and electricity. Boreholes were constructed as a high-priority project to provide clean drinking water across the state.

Colonel Kaliel joined the Nigerian Army in 1967 and served as an instructor between 1972 and 1974. He later became a commandant and served as Director of Logistics and Defense before his appointment as governor. His leadership was consultative; rather than making decisions alone, he sought capable advisors to help build a strong governance system.

Who Is the Current Governor ?

As of today, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed is the current governor of Bauchi State. He assumed office in May 2019 and was re-elected on May 23, 2023, under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He is currently serving his second term.

Born on October 3, 1958, Bala Mohammed earned his First School Leaving Certificate in 1971 from Duguri Primary School. After obtaining his Senior Secondary Certificate, he proceeded to the University of Maiduguri, where he earned a BSc in Arts. He also holds additional qualifications in management and procurement.

Before becoming governor, Bala served as a Senator for Bauchi South from 2007 to 2010 and later as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja). Earlier in his career, he worked as a journalist and administrative officer, experiences that contributed to his effective governance.

Key Achievements in Office

Education:

• Reconstructed over 300 primary and secondary schools.
• Added 5,000 new classrooms.Reduced the number of out-of-school children from 1.2 million to 521,000.Employed and retrained teachers to meet modern standards.Provided financial assistance to over 14,000 students, covering WAEC, NECO, JAMB, NBAIS, and NABTEB fees.

• Introduced ICT training programs for students and teachers to boost digital literacy.

Healthcare:

• Built new hospitals and renovated old ones across various communities to ensure better access to quality healthcare.

Agriculture:

• Trained over 1,000 farmers in modern farming techniques.
• Distributed 8,000 tons of fertilizer to more than 10,000 farmers to improve agricultural productivity.

Water Supply:

• Launched a ₦20 billion water supply project in partnership with the World Bank to ensure clean water access in Bauchi metropolis.
• Installed 3,000 boreholes across 20 local government areas to address water shortages in rural communities.

Anti-Corruption & Civil Service Reform:

• Set up a committee to recover stolen government funds and assets.
• Eliminated ghost workers through BVN verification.

Infrastructure:

• Initiated the first-ever flyover bridge in Bauchi State.

Conclusion

Since its creation in 1976, Bauchi State has been governed by a mix of military and civilian leaders. Each administration has made its mark, contributing to the state’s development.

• The first governor was Colonel Mohammed Bello Kaliel (1976–1978), who laid the groundwork for the state’s administration.
• The first civilian governor was Abubakar Tatari Ali, who served from 1979 to 1983 under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

The legacy of each leader can be explored through their policies, development projects, and governance approaches.

This guide contains a list of all the individuals who have served as governors of Anambra State from its creation on August 27, 1991, to the present day. You’ll also find information on the first governor of the state and the current governor. Let’s take a look at their full names, tenure, political party affiliation, whether they were military or civilian governors, and their dates of birth.

Full List of Anambra State Governors (from 9991)

S/N	Names	DOB	Period	Political Party	Remark
1	John Atom Kpera	Jan 1941	Mar 1976 – Jul 1978	—	First Military Governor of Anambra
2	Col. D. N. Ejoor	—	Jul 1978 – Oct 1979	—	Military Governor
3	Jim Nwobodo	9 May 1940	Oct 1979 – Dec 1983	NPP	First elected civilian governor (old Anambra State)
4	Christian Onoh	27 Apr 1927	Oct 1983 – Dec 1983	NPN	Short-lived civilian governor
5	Allison Madueke	1944	Jan 1984 – Aug 1985	—	Military Governor
6	Samson Emeka Omeruah	14 Aug 1943	Aug 1985 – Dec 1987	—	Military Governor
7	Ndubuisi Godwin Kanu	3 Nov 1943	Dec 1987 – Aug 1990	—	Military Governor
8	Herbert Eze	1948	Aug 1990 – Aug 1991	—	Military Governor
9	Joseph Abulu	—	Aug 1991 – Jan 1992	—	Military
10	Chukwuemeka Ezeife	20 Nov 1939	Jan 1992 – Nov 1993	SDP	First Civilian Governor of New Anambra
11	Dabo Aliyu	29 Nov 1947	Nov 1993 – Dec 1993	—	Acting Administrator
12	Mike Attah	1952	Dec 1993 – Aug 1996	—	Military
13	Rufai Garba	—	Aug 1996 – Aug 1998	—	Military
14	Emmanuel Ukaegbu	—	Aug 1998 – May 1999	—	Military
15	Chinwoke Mbadinuju	14 Jun 1945	May 1999 – May 2003	PDP	—
16	Chris Ngige	8 Aug 1952	May 2003 – Mar 2006	PDP	—
17	Peter Obi (1st term)	19 Jul 1961	Mar 2006 – Nov 2006	APGA	—
18	Virginia Etiaba	11 Nov 1942	Nov 2006 – Feb 2007	—	First Female Governor (Acting)
19	Andy Uba	14 Dec 1958	29 May 2007 – 14 Jun 2007	PDP	Tenure annulled
20	Peter Obi (2nd term)	19 Jul 1961	14 Jun 2007 – Mar 2014	APGA	Returned to complete second term
21	Willie Obiano	8 Aug 1955	Mar 2014 – Mar 2022	APGA	—
22	Charles Soludo	28 Jul 1960	Mar 2022 – Present	APGA	Incumbent

Who Was the First Governor of Anambra State?

The division of the East Central State in 1976 gave birth to the old Anambra and Imo States. Under the old Anambra, Colonel John Atom Kpera was appointed as the first governor. He attained the position through an appointment by the Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, in March 1976. Colonel Kpera served as governor until July 1978. As a newly created state, John Kpera’s major contribution was the establishment of a solid administrative foundation for the effective management of the state’s resources.

Some of the key ministries he established included the Ministry of Works and Housing and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, which were responsible for employment, housing, fiscal management, and the broader economic development of Anambra. He also laid the foundation for improvements in the education and health sectors by setting up the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health to oversee these critical areas. History also records that John Kpera personally initiated the formation of the Anambra State Ministry of Finance.

John Atom Kpera is an indigene of Benue State. He was born in January 1941 in a town located in Gboko Local Government Area. After completing his primary and secondary education, he joined the Nigerian Army. To advance his military career, he attended a course at the Haile Selassie Military Academy in Ethiopia, where he completed his cadet training. This training earned him the rank of Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army in 1965. During his time in the military, he held various leadership positions and eventually retired as a Brigadier General.

Being the first governor of Anambra State was indeed a foundation-breaking achievement for the state. He successfully set up the core administrative structures and key ministries that continue to influence the governance of the state to this day. Additionally, John Atom Kpera was also the first person to govern Benue State as its military administrator, which further confirms his strong leadership capabilities.

Meet Colonel Herbert Obi-Eze former Governor

Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Obi-Eze was the first Military Administrator of the new Anambra State in 1991. Under the military regime, governors were appointed, not elected. Obi-Eze was appointed by General Ibrahim Babangida, who found him capable of managing the affairs of the newly created Anambra State.

Obi-Eze did not disappoint his appointer or the people. Under his leadership, Enugu State was successfully carved out of Anambra on August 27, 1991, a feat achieved with administrative efficiency. He also laid the foundations for the governance structure of Anambra State.

Upon the creation of Enugu State, Obi-Eze became the first Military Administrator of Enugu State in January 1992, and he handed over power in Anambra to the newly elected civilian governor Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, not Okwesilieze Nwodo (who was the first civilian governor of Enugu State).

Who Is the Current Governor of Anambra State?

Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo is the current governor of Anambra State. He assumed office on March 17, 2022, after being elected under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Since taking office, Governor Soludo has made significant strides across key sectors including infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, and youth empowerment. In terms of infrastructure, his administration has completed over 400 kilometers of new roads, upgraded and maintained existing ones, and renovated the long-abandoned Anambra Government House, which had remained unused for over 30 years. To address the state’s flooding challenges, he oversaw the development of adequate drainage systems across flood-prone areas.

In the education sector, Soludo introduced free tuition in public schools, leading to a sharp rise in student enrollment. He also removed unqualified teachers and replaced them with over 8,000 well-trained educators. To further modernize learning, more than 2,000 laptops were distributed to schools to boost ICT capacity. His healthcare reforms include the construction of five new general hospitals equipped with modern facilities, the rehabilitation of existing healthcare centers, and the employment of over 1,000 qualified health professionals. Additionally, he launched free maternal care services across the state.

Governor Soludo has also taken bold steps in improving security. Through the Agụnechemba Security Initiative, his government tackled criminal activity by dismantling hideouts and neutralizing threats in over eight local government areas. He also initiated a campaign against fake native doctors involved in ritual-related crimes. In terms of youth empowerment, more than 5,000 young people have been trained in various vocational skills, over 20,000 individuals gained digital skills, and the government has provided over ₦2 billion in startup grants to support their entrepreneurial ventures.

Conclusion

The development of Anambra State has progressed from one government to another. Each governor, as seen in the list above, made contributions. Whether large or small— that remain achievements worth noting. If you’ve read through the list, you should now be familiar with each of their names and their time in office, helping you track the significant improvements that took place during their tenures.

Akwa Ibom Government House is a designated office for the Governor of the state. His office portfolio supersedes every arm of the cabinet, making the governor a significant figure, as all matters regarding planning, decisions, and governance of the state rest on the Executive Governor.

Akwa Ibom State, established in 1987 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, was first overseen by an administrator referred to as a military governor. The first civilian governor was elected during the Third Republic period.

In all, the state’s administration has featured both military and democratic styles of governance. As such, if you would like to know the former, past, and current leadership, this guide contains the complete list of Akwa Ibom State governors to date.

Complete List of Akwa Ibom State Governors

No	Name	Born	Duration	Party	Remarks
1	Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha	1 Sep 1945	28 Sep 1987 – 30 Jul 1988	Military Admin.	First Military Administrator
2	Godwin Abbe	10 Jan 1949	31 Jul 1988 – 5 Sep 1990	Military Admin.	—
3	Idongesit Nkanga	27 Jan 1952	5 Sep 1990 – 2 Jan 1992	Military Admin.	—
4	Akpan Isemin	24 May 1939	2 Jan 1992 – 18 Nov 1993	NRC	First Civilian Governor
5	Yakubu Bako	22 May 1952	15 Dec 1993 – 21 Aug 1996	Military Admin.	—
6	Joseph Adeusi	1940	21 Aug 1996 – 9 Aug 1998	Military Admin.	—
7	John Ebiye	N/A	9 Aug 1998 – 29 May 1999	Military Admin.	—
8	Obong Victor Attah	20 Nov 1942	29 May 1999 – 29 May 2007	PDP	—
9	Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio	9 Dec 1962	29 May 2007 – 29 May 2015	PDP	—
10	Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel	11 Jul 1966	29 May 2015 – 29 May 2023	PDP	—
11	Pastor Umo Bassey Eno	10 Apr 1964	29 May 2023 – Incumbent	PDP	—

READ ALSO: About Akwa Ibom State

Who was the first governor of Akwa Ibom State?

The first administrative government of Akwa Ibom State was Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha in 1987. Ibrahim Babangida handpicked him to represent the Ibomites as a military administrator. Tunde Ogbeha was in office from September 27, 1987, to July 30, 1988.

Initially, Ogbeha met a new state with no administration or leadership, and his skills were harnessed to establish a functional government. Being new into the governor’s office, he identified transportation challenges even in the small town of Uyo- now rising shoulder to shoulder with major cities in Nigeria- and established the Akwa Ibom Transport Company to ease movement for both civil servants and the general public.

Tunde was also a man of the press. He gave his support to the founding of Akwa Ibom Newspaper Limited, thereby improving journalism. His achievements include the construction of major roads in Uyo, such as Eka and Umoren Road, and the dualization of the Ikot Ekpene Road.

The Kogi State indigene was born in Lokoja in 1945. After completing his secondary school certificate, he got into the Nigerian Defence Academy and, in 1970, at the age of 25, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. By 1983, Tunde Ogbeha had risen through the military ranks to become a Colonel and ended his military career as a Brigadier.

Historically, Tunde Ogbeha is known for participating in the 1983 coup that unseated Shagari to install Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. He was also actively involved in the 1985 military takeover that ousted Buhari and brought General Ibrahim Babangida to power.

Nevertheless, the Ogbeha once governed the former Bendel State, which is now split into Edo and Delta States. Returning to the Fourth Republic, Ogbeha served as a Senator of the Federal Republic in 1998, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, and left office in 2007.

Today, the history of the beautiful land of Akwa Ibom — especially the capital city — would be incomplete without mentioning the very first leader of the state, Tunde Ogbeha.

Who is the first civilian governor of Akwa Ibom State?

In 1991, the Ibomites witnessed the birth of a democratic government. Through a free and fair election, the people collectively voted for Mr. Obong Akpan Isemin as their first civilian executive governor. Obong Akpan won the governorship seat under the political party National Republican Convention.

He was in office from January 2, 1992, until the collapse of Nigeria’s Third Republic, when Sani Abacha forcefully seized power after the annulment of the 1993 presidential elections.

While in office, Obong challenged the low revenue allocation from the federal government and succeeded in increasing it from ₦350,000 monthly to ₦11.2 million — a remarkable achievement. The former governor gave everyone a fair chance to be involved in his cabinet, irrespective of the different ethnic groups or tribes in Akwa Ibom land.

With his inclusive mindset and leadership style, Akpan’s performance would have been even more impactful if not for the military coup. Obong Akpan was born in 1939 in Etinan LGA of Akwa Ibom and hails from the Ibibio ethnic group. He held a B.Sc. in Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

His early career was in the oil sector, and he rose to the position of Executive Director while working at Avery Limited, Nigeria. Obong’s diverse life experiences prepared him for the governorship role — showing us that preparation is key to new opportunities.

Who is the current governor of Akwa Ibom?

Mr. Umo Bassey Eno is the current governor of Akwa Ibom State. Eno contested for the executive governor seat in 2023 under the People’s Democratic Party and subsequently won the election. INEC swore Umo Bassey into office on May 29, 2023.

Before his new portfolio, Bassey was Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources under his predecessor but resigned to run for his current position. Apart from being a politician and public administrator, Bassey is a clergyman and the Senior Pastor of All Nations Christian Ministry. His leadership skills made him stand out in his daily administrative functions as governor.

Previously, Mr. Umo worked with Union Bank and Bertola Machine Tools Nigeria in Lagos. He was also the former CEO of Norman Holdings Limited. As a visionary, while he worked and helped build other people’s businesses, he didn’t stop there — he founded his firm, Royalty Groups, in 1987, located in Akwa Ibom.

Even with all his achievements, he didn’t relax but pushed further to the Government House to contribute positively to the people of Akwa Ibom and the state’s development.

To mention, the man of God is an indigene of Ikot Ekpene Udo town in Nsit-Ubium. He was born on April 23, 1964, in Ikot Ekpene. After his primary and secondary education, he studied Public Administration at the University of Uyo and also obtained a Master’s degree in the same discipline from Uyo University.

Observation from Umo’s story: you can still resign from your current career and become what you are aiming for — with calculated steps.

Conclusion

The above table featured the overall list of Akwa Ibom state governors and it is to help you know their names, their year in office whether military or civilian style of government

If you’re looking to understand the leadership history of Adamawa State with regard to its governorship over time, this guide provides accurate and educational details. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of Adamawa State governors from its creation in 1991 to the present. The list includes their full names, titles, political parties, and dates of birth.

Also featured are brief bios of the first military governor, first civilian governor, and the current governor of Adamawa State. The office of the governor plays a key role in the development of the state, and this list serves as a historical reference to track governance and leadership milestones over the years.

The Complete List of Adamawa State Governors  from 1991 to Date (Past, Former & Present)

S/N	Full Name	Title	Date of Birth	Term of Office	Political Party
1st	Abubakar Saleh Michika	Civilian	1 Jan 1944	2 Jan 1992 – 17 Nov 1993	NRC
2nd	Gregory Agboneni	Military	30 Aug 1948	9 Dec 1993 – 14 Sep 1994	Military Regime
3rd	Yohanna Anteyan Madaki	Military	31 Dec 1941	14 Sep 1994 – 22 Aug 1996	Military Regime
4th	Joe A. Kalu-Igboama	Military	NA	22 Aug 1996 – Aug 1998	Military Regime
5th	Ahmadu G. Hussaini	Military	26 Oct 1958	Aug 1998 – 29 May 1999	Military Regime
6th	Boni Haruna	Executive Gov.	12 Jun 1957	29 May 1999 – 29 May 2007	PDP
7th	Murtala Hamman-Yero Nyako	Executive Gov.	27 Aug 1942	29 May 2007 – 26 Feb 2008	PDP
8th	James Shaibu Barka	Acting Gov.	8 Sep 1961	26 Feb 2008 – 29 Apr 2008	PDP
9th	Murtala Hamman-Yero Nyako	Executive Gov. (2nd term)	27 Aug 1942	29 Apr 2008 – 29 Jan 2012	PDP
10th	Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri	Acting Gov.	27 Oct 1967	29 Jan 2012 – Mar 2012	PDP
11th	Murtala Hamman-Yero Nyako	Executive Gov. (3rd term)	27 Aug 1942	Mar 2012 – 15 Jul 2014 (impeached)	PDP
12th	Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri	Acting Gov.	27 Oct 1967	15 Jul 2014 – 8 Oct 2014	PDP
13th	Bala James Ngilari	Executive Gov.	4 Dec 1972	8 Oct 2014 – 29 May 2015	PDP
14th	Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow	Executive Gov.	16 Jun 1963	29 May 2015 – 29 May 2019	APC
15th	Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri	Executive Gov. (incumbent)	27 Oct 1967	29 May 2019 – Present	PDP

ALSO LEARN MORE: About Adamawa State

Who Was the First Governor of Adamawa State?

Upon the creation of Adamawa State in 1991, Air Commodore Abubakar Salihu was appointed as the first military administrator (governor) of the state. He served from August 1991 to January 3, 1992.

Before becoming the governor of Adamawa, he had previously served as the military administrator of Gongola State (1989–1991) prior to its split into Adamawa and Taraba States. Abubakar Salihu, born in 1949, was a senior officer in the Nigerian Air Force. He attended Barewa College, Zaria, and proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy, where he trained as a regular combatant officer.

His military education also included training at the Aircraft Training School in Germany and the Royal Military Centre in Chichester, England. After graduation, he served with the UK Air Force from 1986 to 1990.

He was appointed as the military administrator of Gongola State by General Ibrahim Babangida, and upon the creation of Adamawa State, continued in that role. During his brief tenure, one of his notable achievements was commissioning the Adamawa State Polytechnic.

Who Was the First Civilian Governor of Adamawa?

Following the tenure of Abubakar Salihu, Abubakar Saleh Michika emerged as the first civilian governor of Adamawa State. He was elected under the National Republican Convention (NRC) and assumed office on January 2, 1992, serving until November 1993, when the Nigerian Third Republic was dissolved.

Born in 1941 in Michika, a local government area in present-day Adamawa State, Saleh Michika completed his secondary education at the old Yola Middle School, now known as General Murtala Mohammed College, Yola. He also attended a School of Arabic Studies to further his education.

Before moving into politics, he had a professional background with institutions such as the Bank of West Africa and other private companies, which helped shape his leadership experience and contributed to his electoral success.

During his lifetime, he was married to four wives and had thirty-eight children. He passed away in 2018.

Who Is the Current Governor of Adamawa State?

Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri is the current and 15th governor of Adamawa State. He came into office through the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Before becoming the executive governor, Fintiri had been actively involved in state politics for over a decade.

He served as a member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly in 2011, where he rose to the positions of Deputy Speaker and eventually Speaker. These experiences positioned him well to contest for the governorship and guide the administration of the state effectively.

Fintiri was born on October 27, 1967, in Madagali, located in the northern part of present-day Adamawa State. He attended Central Primary School, Gulak in 1975, and completed his secondary education at Government Secondary School, Gulak, and Government Secondary School, Michika, where he graduated in 1986.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Maiduguri (1992) and later earned a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Policy and Strategic Studies from the same university in 2004.

Conclusion

While knowing the current governor of Adamawa State is important, understanding the entire timeline of leadership helps you appreciate the state’s political evolution. Familiarizing yourself with each governor’s name, period in office, political affiliation, and achievements provides valuable historical insight.

The list of Adamawa State governors compiled here is a helpful resource not just for students, but for anyone interested in political history or governance in Nigeria.

SEE ALSO:: Post Codes for some areas in Adamawa State

The Governor of Abia State is the number one citizen and chief executive of the state. He or she resides in the Government House and oversees the affairs of the state by delegating responsibilities to cabinet members.

Since the creation of Abia State on August 27, 1991, during the Third Republic of Nigeria, the office of the governor has been occupied either through appointment or democratic election. During the military era, governors were appointed by the Head of State, while in democratic periods, governors have been elected by the people of Abia through a voting process.

Because the office of the governor is important in shaping the direction of the state, and for the benefit of those interested in the history of its leadership, we’ve compiled a complete list of all governors of Abia State, including their full names, tenure, and political party affiliations.

Complete List of Abia State Governors (1991 – Date)

#	Name	Years in Office	Party Affiliation	Title
1st	Frank Ajobena	Aug 28, 1991 – Jan 1992	None	Military Administrator
2nd	Ogbonnaya Onu	Jan 1992 – Nov 1993	NRC	Executive Governor
3rd	Chinyere Ike Nwosu	Dec 9, 1993 – Sep 14, 1994	None	Military Administrator
4th	Temi Ejoor	Sep 14, 1994 – Aug 22, 1996	None	Military Administrator
5th	Moses Fasanya	Aug 22, 1996 – Aug 1998	None	Military Administrator
6th	Anthony Obi	Aug 1998 – May 29, 1999	None	Military Administrator
7th	Orji Uzor Kalu	May 29, 1999 – May 29, 2007	PDP / PPA	Executive Governor
8th	Theodore A. Orji	May 29, 2007 – May 29, 2015	PPA	Executive Governor
9th	Okezie Ikpeazu	May 29, 2015 – May 29, 2023	PDP	Executive Governor
10th	Alex Chioma Otti	May 29, 2023 – Present (Incumbent)	LP (Labour Party)	Executive Governor

READ ALSO: How many LGA’s in Abia State as of today?  

Who Was the First Governor of Abia State?

Many people, especially residents of Abia State, may not know that Frank Onaweneryene Ajobena was the pioneer governor of the state. He was appointed as a military administrator and assumed office on August 28, 1991.

Frank Ajobena was a Nigerian military officer who served Abia State for about five months. He was born in 1949 in Jos, Plateau State, but hails from Okpe, in present-day Delta State. The Okpe people are a subgroup of the Urhobo ethnic group and speak the Urhobo language.

Despite his short tenure, Frank Ajobena played a significant role in laying the administrative foundation of Abia State. It is important to note that he was the first military administrator of the state.

 Who Is the Current Governor of Abia State?

As of now, Dr. Alex Otti is the current and 7th Executive Governor of Abia State. He emerged victorious in the 2023 gubernatorial election under the platform of the Labour Party (LP), defeating his closest rival, Okey Ahiwe of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Dr. Otti was officially sworn into office on May 29, 2023, along with his deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu.

Born in 1965, Alex Otti hails from Umuru-Umuehim village, in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, Abia State. He is a seasoned professional with a strong background in banking and economics, having held top roles in Nigeria’s banking sector before diversifying into politics.

Conclusion

If you are a student or someone seeking to understand the transition of governorship in Abia State from its creation to the present day, this guide provides the names of all eligible governors, including profiles of both the first and new (current) governor.

READ ALSO: Abia State Guide