This guide provides a comprehensive record of leaders who have governed Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, from its creation in 1987 to today (April 9, 2024).
It details the administrators who served during the military era, the governors who took office after the return to democracy, and the current leadership. In addition to listing the governors and their terms in office, the guide also touches on interesting details like:
- Who was the first military governor?
- When did Akwa Ibom have its first civilian governor?
- Who is the current governor and deputy governor?
READ ALSO: List Of Governors Of Imo State (1976-Present)
List Of Past And Present Governors In Akwa Ibom State
Name | Title | Took office | Left office |
|---|---|---|---|
Tunde Ogbeha | Administrator | 28 Sep 1987 | 30 Jul 1988 |
Godwin Abbe | Administrator | 31 Jul 1988 | 5 Sep 1990 |
Idongesit Nkanga | Administrator | 5 Sep 1990 | 2 Jan 1992 |
Akpan Isemin | Governor | 2 Jan 1992 | 18 Nov 1993 |
Yakubu Bako | Administrator | 15 Dec 1993 | 21 Aug 1996 |
Joseph Adeusi | Administrator | 21 Aug 1996 | 9 Aug 1998 |
John Ebiye | Administrator | 9 Aug 1998 | 29 May 1999 |
Victor Attah | Governor | 29 May 1999 | 29 May 2007 |
Godswill Akpabio | Governor | 29 May 2007 | 29 May 2015 |
Udom Gabriel Emmanuel | Governor | 29 May 2015 | 29 May 2023 |
Umo Bassey Eno | Governor | 29 May 2023 | Incumbent |
Who Was The First Military Governor Of Akwa Ibom State?
Brigadier General Tunde Ogbeha was the first military governor of Akwa Ibom State. He took on this role from September 28, 1987, to July 30, 1988.
Born on September 1, 1947, in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria, Ogbeha had a career in the military before he moved into politics.
Before becoming a governor, Ogbeha went to military school in Zaria and graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy.
He also attended a special institute to learn more about how to lead and make strategic decisions. In the military, Ogbeha played important roles during political changes in Nigeria.
He was part of the group that helped change the government in December 1983 and again in August 1985. These changes led to new leaders taking charge of the country. After retiring from the military, Ogbeha turned to politics.
He ran for senator in Kogi State and won, and served from May 1999 to May 2007. During his time as a senator, he focused on making things better for the people he represented. Even after leaving the senate, Ogbeha stayed active in helping his community.
He joined boards that worked on important projects, like setting up a new broadcasting station in Kogi State and serving on the Niger Delta Development Commission.
READ ALSO: List Of Governors Of Jigawa State (1991-Present)
What Is The Name Of The Governor And Deputy Governor Of Akwa Ibom State?
The current Governor of Akwa Ibom State is Umo Bassey Eno, and his deputy governor is Akon Eyakenyi. They both have impressive backgrounds that help them guide the state forward.
Governor Umo Eno started his career as a religious leader, founding a church. He also worked for the Akwa Ibom government, dealing with land and water issues.
This helped him understand how to build important things and manage resources, which is important for a state to thrive. Before becoming governor, he also helped businesses grow and improved farming in the state.
In 2023, he won the governor election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi used to be a lawyer.
She also served in the Akwa Ibom government, representing her area, and in 2023, she decided to team up with Umo Eno to become deputy governor.
Who Was The First Deputy Governor Of Akwa Ibom State?
Etim Jack Okpoyo was the first deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, serving from January 2, 1992, to November 18, 1993. He was a notable Nigerian politician, born on September 23, 1943, in Urue-Offong/Oruko LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Okpoyo, who hailed from an Oron origin, was not only a politician but also a businessman, civil engineer, and one-time Ambassador of Nigeria to Italy and Albania. Before moving into politics, Okpoyo had a diverse career background.
He worked as a survey party chief with the Louis Berger Engineering Company and later joined the Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited in Port Harcourt.
During his time in the oil and gas industry, he sharpened his skills and built a foundation for his future endeavors. 1992 Okpoyo became the first civilian deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, alongside Obong Akpan Isemin, under the party of the National Republican Convention (NRC).
Throughout his career, Okpoyo was deeply involved in community service, exemplified by his leadership roles within the Oro nation. He was a Rotarian who believed in giving back to society and held various leadership positions within community organizations.
In addition to his political and professional achievements, Okpoyo was recognized for his contributions to the church and was honored as a Knight of John Wesley (KJW) under the Archdiocese of Calabar.
READ ALSO: List Of Governors of Cross River State (1976-Present)
Who Was The First Female Deputy Governor In Akwa Ibom State?
Valerie Maurice Ebe is the first female Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State. She was born on March 26, 1947, into a respected family, with her father being a local leader in Etoi Clan.
Her schooling began at Holy Child Primary School in Calabar, then she moved on to Holy Child Secondary School in 1957. After finishing high school, she trained to be a teacher at Holy Child Teacher Training College in Ifuho.
Later, she went on to study History and Archaeology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and then law at the University of Uyo. In 1998, after years of hard work, she became a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.