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Midwest/Bendel/Edo state Governors 1963-Date
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{Compiled by Osamede Osunde} Last Update August 16, 20
Midwest
Chief Dennis Chukudebe Osadebey
(August1963-January1966)

Chief Dennis Chukudebe Osadebey, lawyer by profession, was the first premier of the then Mid-west Region.Born in Asaba on June 29, 1911, Chief Osadebey had his elementary education at Government school, Asaba, Sacred Heart College and Hope Waddell Training Institute,both in Calabar. He later joined the civil service and worked in the Department of Customs and Excise from 1930 to 1946 when he proceeded to study law at London University and Lincoln’s Inn from 1946 to 1949 On graduation, he was called to the bar at Lincoln’s Inn. He subsequently returned to Nigeria and went into legal practice. Chief Osadebey’s political career began in 1951 when he was elected to the western House of Assembly and in 1952 to the House of Representatives. He was a member of those two legislative houses till 1954 when the new constitution made it impossible for person to be a member of two houses.

He then decided to retain his membership of the western House of Assembly.
Chief Dennis C. Osadebey
Major General David Akpode Ejoor
(January1966-August1967)

Major General David Akpode Ejoor was born on January 10, 1934. He attended Government College, Ughelli between 1948 and 1952. In his last year at school, he was captain of athletics. He led the school team to victory in the Grier Cup Competition of that year. He was also a school prefect .Before joining the Nigeria Army on November 13, 1953, he worked for four months as a civil servant in the customs and Excise Department.On enlistment into the army, he went through special military training at the Regular Officers Training School, Ghana from November 1953 to May 1954.On June 10, 1954 he left for United Kingdom to attend the Officers Cadet Training School, Chester. This was followed by another course at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He was commissioned on July 27, 1956 and did some course on the use of weapons before leaving Britain for Nigeria.

In 1958, Ejoor started regimental duties at the 4th battalion Nigeria Army. He underwent another course on signals in the United Kingdom and on his return,
Maj. Gen. David A. Ejoor
Major (Dr.) Albert Nwazu Okonkwo
(17 August 1967 – 20 September 1967)

On June 6, 1967, the federal government declared a ‘police action’ to contain the secession of the Eastern Nigeria, which had taken place on, May 30, 1967. On August 9 the secessionist troops invaded and occupied the Midwestern; an event which resulted in two development. Firstly, it primped the Federal Government to declare a full-scale war on the rebels, and to add the Region to its theatre of war against the rebellion. Secondly, it undermined the neutrality and the peaceful role played initially by the Midwest in the crisis before the invasion, the Midwestern state political and traditional leaders had resisted the use of its state as a battleground against the secessionist and played host to efforts at the peaceful resolution of the conflict. A case in point was the peace meeting between delegation of the Federal Government and the Eastern Nigeria at NFOR near Benin City in 1966. Nevertheless, this policy of neutrality changed with the rebel invasion.

The rebel occupation force instituted a government headed by Major (Dr.) Albert Nwazu Okonkwo who was appointed administrator on August 17, 1967 by.....
Maj.(Dr.) Albert N. Okonkwo
Brig. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemubia
(September1967-July1975)

Brig. Osaigbovo Ogbemudia was born on September 17, 1932 in Benin City. He had his early education at Benin Baptist School {1941-1945}, government school, Victoria, in the Camerouns {1945-1947} and secondary education at western boy high school, Benin City {1947-1949}.He join the Nigeria army in 1957 and trained at Teshi Ghana {1957},Nerthervon, Salisbury {1957} and at the officer cadet school, Aldershot, England {1960}.He was commissioned second lieutenant in 1961. In 1962, he attended the United States army special welfare school fort Bragg South Carolina U.S.A.

Brig. Osaibovo Ogbemudia served with the United Nations peacekeeping force in the Congo for 16 months.During that country’s political crisis and was in Tanzania in 1964.

His other military assignment included his appointment as instructor, Nigeria Military Training College, Zaria, 1964 chief instructor, 1965 and brigade major, 1966. In August 1966, he was transferred to the area command, Benin City. He
Brig.Gen. S.O.Ogbemudia
Bendel State
Major General Agbazika Innih
(August 1975-March 1976)

Major General Agbazika Innih served as military Governor of Bendel state from 1975 to 1976 and was later deployed to kwara state as military Governor from 1976-1978.He was born on September 25, 1939 at Agenebode, and educated at catholic school, Akure; Government school warri; Holy cross catholic Benin City and Edo College Benin City. He enlisted in the Nigeria Army in 1962 and attended the Mons Officer Cadet School, Aldershot and Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst both in England.

Maj.Gen. Innih was platoon commander, Ibadan; Chief instructor, Nigeria Military School Zaria; and Deputy Military Secretary, Supreme Headquarters, Lagos.

During the Nigeria civil war, he served in the 3rd marine Commando as Brigade major, 14 Infantry Brigade; Commander, 13 Infantry Brigade, 3rd marines Commando; Colonel General Staff,1 Infantry Division ,Nigeria Army; member.....
Maj. Gen. Agbazika Innih
Commodore Husaini Abullahi
(March 1976-July 1978)

On February 13, 1976, there was an unsuccessful coup in which general Murtala Muhammed was killed. His Army Chief of Staff, Lt-Gen Olusegun Obasanjo, who succeeded him, reassigned col. Innih to kwara State and replace him with Commodore Husaini Abdullahi who was born on March 3rd 1939 in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa state, took charge of the affairs of the state from March 1976 to July 1978.

As a Lieutenant Commander, Abdullahi was in charge of troop landings from NNS Lokoja during the capture of Bonny Island in July 1967, during the Nigerian Civil War. On 30 July 1975, the new Head of State Brigadier Murtala Muhammed announced that Captain Abdullahi had been appointed to the Supreme Military Council

Husaini Abdullahi was promoted until he got to the rank of Vice-Admira. Before retirement from the force, served the nation at various capacities before bringing his wealth of experience to bear in governing the state.
Com. Husaini Abdullahi
Brigadier Abubakak Waziri
(July 24th 1978 to September 30, 1979)

By July 1978, the military administration began to disengage itself from politics prepatory to handing over to civilians on October 1, 1979. As a result, military Governors were re-assigned to other duties while military administrators were appointed in their place. In Bendel State, the Commander of the 4 Mechanised Brigade based in Benin, Brigadier Abubakar Waziri was appointed Military Administrator with effect from July 24, 1978.

Born in the Fika Emirate in Yobe State. His transitional government of was devoted to clearing outstanding debts to contractors and the servicing of on-going project in view of this, the administration completely avoided budgeting for deficit. Indeed, the estimates for the financial yaer showed an overrall budget surplus of 0.29 million naira. During the period, elections were held with the Unity party of Nigeria, winning the Gubernatorial election in the state. On October 1, 1979, the Military handed over power to civilians, thus giving birth to the second Republic. Abubakak Waziri was later the military Governor of Borno State from January 1984 to August 1985 during the regime of General Muhammadu Buhari.Abubakak Waziri retired as a Major-General.

Maj.Gen.Abubakak Waziri
Prof. Ambrose Folorunsho Alli
(October 1979-September1983)
Professor Ambrose Folorunsho Alli was the first Executive governor of {Bendel state} now split into Edo and Delta states , was born in Idoani, Ondo state, on September 22, 1929. His father hail from Emuado quarters of Ekpoma. Professor Alli had his primary school education in Ondo and Edo state.He began his education at Mary’s catholic school, Oka-Odo, Ondo state in 1937. Between 1938 and 1939, he was a pupil at the catholic school Ekpoma.He returned to Oka-Odo Ondo state in 1939 where he attended st. John’s {C.M.S}school until 1940.He was also a pupil of swedenbourg memorial school {SMS} Owo and st. stephen’s school Efon-Alaye both in Ondo state from 1940-1943.

In 1944, he gain admission to Immaculate Conception College, Benin City and completed his secondary school education at Patrick’s college Asaba in 1948.

Other educational institutions attended by Professor Alli are the school of agriculture Ibadan {1948} and school of medical technology, Adeoyo Hospital...
Prof. Ambrose F.Alli
Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia
(October 1983-December 1983

Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, who was the Military Governor of Bendel State from 1967 to 1975, was born in Benin City on September 17th 1932. Dr Osaibovo Ogbemudia was elected civilian governor of Bendel state after winning the August 1983 gubernatorial election under the platform of the national party of Nigeria {NPN} .He became the second executive governor of Bendel State. His administration was short lived following the December 31 military coup led by Major- General Muhammadu Buhari.

His father, Sunday, was the son of Osaigbovo Ogbemudia the Obakhavbaye of Benin, who fought in the war against the British Expedition to Benin in 1897 during the reign of Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi.
Samuel’s mother was Oghomwenrhiere Ogbernudia, (nee Isibor who was once the Obazuaye of Benin).

Young Samuel had his primary school education at Baptist School, Benin City from 1940—1945 and Government School, Victoria, British Cameroons from 1945 to..
Dr. Samuel O. Ogbemudia
Brigadier J. T. Useni
(January 1984-August 1985)

Brigadier Jeremiah Timbut Useni was The Military Governor Of Bendel State from January 1984 to August, 1985. Prior to his appointment as a Military Governor, he was Commander, 2 Amphibious Brigade, Port Harcourt.

Born on February 16, 1943 at Langtang in Plateau State, Brigadier Useni was educated at the central primary school, Langtang and the Nigerian Military school Zaria. His Military training took him to various professional institutions at home and abroad including the British Army Apprenticeship college, Chepstow, Indian Military Acedemy Deharadun India, young officers' transportation course England, command and staff college Jaji and the institute of policy and stategic studies kuru, jos.

Brigadier Useni has held various positions in the Nigerian Army, notably:

Platoon Commander and Motor Transport Officer, 4th Battalion Ibadan 1964-1966.Company Commander, 1967-1968.
Brigadier Jeremiah T. Useni
Colonel John Mark Inienger
(September 1985 - July,1988)

Colonel John Mark Inienger was appointed Military Governor of Bendel State on September 3, 1985.

He was Commander of the 4th Mechanised Brigade, Nigerian army Benin City and acted as Governor whenever the incumbent was on leave.

John Mark Inienger was born on 16 April 1945 at Mbaduku, Vandeikya local government area of Benue State.His father was Tiv from Mbaduku, and his mother was from Bebuabung in the Cross River State town of Obudu.He had his primary education at Mker between 1952-1959.

Between 1960 and 1963, he was at the Nigerian military school, Zaria where he had his secondary education. He graduated from the military school in 1963 and enlisted in the Nigerian army electrical and mechanical engineering corps where he trained as a technician.He rose to the rank of a corporal before being....
Colonel John Mark Inienger
Colonel Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha
(July 1988- August 1990)

Col. Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha served as the Military Governor of Bendel state from July 1988 till August 1990. Before his appointed as the Military Governor of Bendel State, he was served an Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea in 1985 and as the Military Governor of the newly formed Akwa Ibom State. from 28 September 1987 – 30 July 1988.

Born in Lokoja, Kogi State in 1947. After obtaining a West African School Certificate, he attended the Nigerian Military School, Zaria, where he obtained a Nigerian Defense Academy diploma in 1970 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant same year and as a Colonel in December 1983. In 1986, he attended The Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru for a year.  

He voluntary retired as a Brigadier-General in 1993, after Babangida stepped down from power.
Col. Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha cabinet was made up of: Mr. samuel O. Elaiho, Dr Issac Ikoyo-Eweto, Dr Godwill Ogboghodo, Prof (Mrs.) Agnes Uduebo, Dr. stephen Irune, Mr. Lucky Oghene- Omoru, Dr. W.O. Afejukwu
Col. Jonathan T.Ogbeha
Colonel John Ewerekumoh yeri
(August 1990 – August 1991) Bendel State
(August 1991 – January 1992) Edo State

Yeri served as the Military governor of the state from August 1990 to August 1991 and then continued as Governor of the new created Edo state (August 27th, 1991) from 1991 to January 1992. Babangida, the then Military President split the state in to two; namely Edo and Delta state. He was the first Military Governor of Edo State and assisted in the transition from Military administration to civilian government. and Air Commodore  Luke Chijiuba Ochulor served as the first Military Administrator of Delta State.

During the period, elections were held with Social Democratic Party (SDP) , winning the Gubernatorial election in the state. January 1992, the handed over power to John Odigie-Oyegun.

Col. John Ewerekumoh Yeri
John E. K Odigie-Oyegun
(January 1992 – November 1993)

John Odigie Oyegun was born on August 12, 1939, in Warri, Delta State. He attended St. Patrick’s College, Asaba, and then went to the University of Ibadan where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Economics. He then served in various capacities as a federal civil servant working as a development planner.

Chief John Oyegun was elected as civilian governor of Edo State on the SDP platform, during the transition to democracy aunched by General Ibrahim Babangida and served from January 1992 to November 1993.

He was removed from office after General Sani Abacha seized power. Later, he became a leader of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). In 2009 he was chairman of the Technical Working Committee of CODER.

John Odigie Oyegun
Colonel Mohammed Onuka
(9 December 1993 – 14 September 1994)

Col. Mohammed Abdul-Salam Onuka took over from the Civilian Governor of the state at the start of the Military Administration of Sani Abacha. He served as Military Administrator of the state from December 9th 1993 to September 14th 1994.

Col. Onuka took interest in the Tourism sector of the state recognizing that the state have tourist attraction site that will yield revenue for the young Edo state if properly tapped.

He made attempt to develop the tourism potential of the scenic area of Ososo but could not fulfill the dream of making Ososo tourist heaven before another colleague in uniform took over the leadership of the state.

Col. Mohammed A. Onuka
Colonel Bassey Asuquo
(14 September 1994 – 22 August 1996)

Colonel Bassey Asuquo is from Odukpani Local Government Area, Cross River State. He Served as the Military Governor of Edo state from 14 September 1994 – 22 August 1996. Before his appointment, he was the Military Administrator of Delta State between December 1993 and September 1994.

He retires as a Brigadier General in the Nigerian Army.

In September 2009 he was appointed chairman of the board of the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar.

Colonel Bassey Asuquo
Group capt. Baba Adamu Iyam
(August 22 1996 - August 7, 1998)

Group Captain. Baba Adamu Iyam became the Military Governor on August 22 1996, a position he occupy till August 7, 1998. Coming into leadership in a Commando like format showing the caliber of leaders the Military has produced. He sacked 8,000 Edo state workers from service. He did not only stop there, in February 1997, he halted all grants to the Edo State University Ekpoma. This he did because he felt the government ought not to fund Universities. After halting the fund, he appointed a sole administrator for the University who will report to him directly. The academia in the state as well as workers will not forget in a hurry what befell them during the reign of Adamu Iyam.

Group Capt. B.Adamu Iyam
Navy captain A.I.Onyearugbulem
(August 7 1998 till May 29 1999)

Anthony Ibe Onyearugbulem was born on 9 July 1955 in Owalla Avuvu in Ikeduru, Imo State. He was educated at St. Columbia's Secondary School, Amaimo (1970–1972) and Enyiogugu High School, Mbaise (1972–1974). He joined the navy and was commissioned on July 1, 1978.

Before his posting to Edo State on August 7, 1998 as the Military Administrator, Navy Captain Anthony Ibe Onyearugbulem served as Military Administrator of Ondo State from August 1996 to August 1998.

He was made to retire in 1999 shortly after the advent of civilian rule, along with others who had held political appointments in the military government. In 2002, Onyearugbulem left the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and declared his intention to run in 2003 for governor of Imo State on the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) platform.Later that year, Onyearugbulem died suddenly in a hotel room in Kaduna in somewhat mysterious circumstances.
Navy Capt. Onyearugbulem
Chief Lucky N. Igbinedion
(29 May 1999 – 29 May 2007)

Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion became the governor of Edo state under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on May 29th 1999 after the return of democracy.

Born on May 13th 1957, he ruled the state from 1999 to May 29, 2007. During his reign, he was known as the action governor for he cleared the bulk of salaries owed Edo state workers especially Observer staff for 19 months. His administration is certainly remembered for human capacity development with the absorption of all casual workers into the main stream of the Civil service in the state.

His administration will also be remembered for the fight against trafficking in human and prostitution, the fight was led by his wife Eki Igbinedion.

After he left office, he was declared wanted in January 2008 by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on 142 counts of financial fraud. The allegations are that he embezzled 24 million dollars i.e 12 million pound using fake companies.

Chief Lucky N.Igbinedion
Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor
(29 May 2007 – 11 November 2008)

Senator (Prof.) Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor, Knight of St. Christopher, legal luminary, aóademic and a distinguished two-term Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was born on Friday, October 5, 1951 ¡n Iruekpen in present-day Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State to Mr. Abraham A. Osunbor, a retired teacher and politician and Dame Felicia E. Osunbor, a retired teacher.

SENATOR OSUNBOR
• Attended Provincial Teachers’ Training College (PTTC) Demonstration School, Igueben (1957 1962)

• Attended Anglican Grammar School, Ujoelen, Ekpoma (1963 1968)

• Attended Holy Trinity Grammar School, Sabongidda-Ora for his Higher School Certificate (1969 1970)

• Attended University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1971 1975) and graduated with a First Class Honours Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree
Senator (Prof.) O.Osunbor
Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole
(12 November 2008-November 2016)

Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole was born on the 4th of April 1953 in Iyamoh, a little community near Auchi in present day Edo State.

The two parents evidently packaged a good product that would have been as reliable as the Mercedes Benz, had he been a car, or as popular as coca cola, had he been a beverage.On the other hand, looking at the height of Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, it was obvious there might have been one or two quality-control gaps in the production. Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole is somewhat of a short person in terms of height, but what he lacks in height, he makes up for in the sheer quality of his intellect and the abundance of courage and wil Education for Adams was not a matter for the school system alone. Like every other kid, Adams learnt and knew
Algebra, Mathematics, English,Geography and all the other stuff. However, the young Adams was taught something that is known as good character in the African worldview by a father whose strength of character became a fountain from which Adams drew powerful inspiration. Even as an adult, it is in the character of Adams to always invoke his father’s name each time he has to make a point with strong

Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole
Godwin Obaseki
(November 2016-Date)

Mr. Godwin Obaseki was born in Benin City, the Edo State Capital to the famous and illustrious Obaseki family. He had his early education at St. Matthews Anglican Primary School, Benin City from where he proceeded to Eghosa Anglican Grammar School, also in Benin City for his secondary education.

Thereafter, he attended the University of Ibadan where he obtained a BA in Classics. He took his search for quality education to the United States of America and attended the Columbia University and Pace University in New York obtaining an MBA in Finance and International Business.

Illustrious career: Obaseki Armed with good education, the young Obaseki, who is a Fellow of theChartered Institute of Stock Brokers, Nigeria and an alumnus of the Lagos Business School Chief Executive Programme did not have problems carving out a successful career in the finance industry.

Obaseki, who was nominated a Global Leader for Tomorrow (GLT) by the World Economic Forum in 2001, began his career over 30 years ago and has established
Godwin Obaseki
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