Benue State, established in 1976, has seen a different leadership throughout its history. This guide provides a record of the governors who have served the state, enclosing both military administrators and elected officials.
Detailed within are the names, party affiliations, and periods of service for each leader. This information offers a valuable resource for anyone aiming to understand the political landscape of Benue State, from its origins to the present day.
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List Of Past And Current Governors Of Benue State
Name | Began Tenure | Ended Tenure | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
Abdullahi Shelleng | March 1976 | July 1978 | Military |
Adebayo Lawal | July 1978 | October 1979 | Military |
Aper Aku | October 1979 | December 1983 | NPN |
John Kpera | January 1984 | August 1985 | Military |
Jonah David Jang | August 1985 | August 1986 | Military |
Yohanna Madaki | August 1986 | September 1986 | Military |
Ishaya Bakut | September 1986 | 1987 | Military |
Idris Garba | 1987 | 1987 | Military |
Fidelis Makka | December 1987 | January 1992 | Military |
Moses Adasu | January 1992 | November 1993 | SDP |
Joshua O. Obademi | 9 December 1993 | 22 August 1996 | Military |
Aminu Isa Kontagora | 22 August 1996 | August 1998 | Military |
Dominic Oneya | August 1998 | May 1999 | Military |
George Akume | 29 May 1999 | 29 May 2007 | PDP |
Gabriel Suswam | 29 May 2007 | 29 May 2015 | PDP |
Samuel Ortom | 29 May 2015 | 29 May 2023 | PDP |
Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia | 29 May 2023 | Incumbent | APC |
Who Was The First Governor In Benue State Since 1976?
The first governor of Benue State was Abdullahi Shelleng. He served from February 3, 1976, to July 1978 during the military regime led by General Olusegun Obasanjo.
Abdullahi Shelleng joined the Nigerian Army in 1962, trained at the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Pakistan Military Academy, and rose through the ranks to become a Colonel.
During his tenure as governor, Shelleng faced the challenge of establishing effective governance in a newly formed state with diverse ethnicities and political tensions.
He focused on infrastructure development, building accommodations for civil servants and educational institutions like the Murtala College of Arts, Science, and Technology.
Also, Shelleng initiated projects such as the Benue Brewery, the Idah Sanitary Ware Industry, and the Burnt Brick Industry.
However, criticisms arose regarding the state’s road infrastructure, and some projects were established on temporary sites, leading to future issues.
After retiring from the army, Abdullahi Shelleng continued to be active in politics, becoming a leader in the Arewa Consultative Forum and participating in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) conventions.
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Who Is The Current Governor Of Benue State?
The current governor of Benue State is Hyacinth Alia. He took office on May 29, 2023. Alia was born on May 15, 1966, in Mbangur, Mbadede, Vandeikya, Benue State, Nigeria.
He belongs to the All Progressives Congress political party. Besides politics, Alia is also known as a Catholic priest. He had his education in religious studies and earned degrees from different institutions including Fordham University and Duquesne University.
Alia was ordained as a Catholic priest on July 7, 1990, but was suspended from his priestly duties in May 2022 due to his involvement in partisan politics. Despite this, he continued his political career and eventually became the governor of Benue State.
Who Is The Current Deputy Governor Of Benue State?
The current deputy governor of Benue State is Samuel Ode. He assumed office on May 29, 2023, under the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Before his appointment, Ode had a diverse career background. Born on November 7, 1968, in Gboko, Benue State, Ode is a lawyer, educator, and seasoned politician.
He hails from Edikwu in Benue State and is the tenth child out of fifteen children. His father, Christopher Ikwue Ode, was a retired Nigerian soldier, while his mother, the late Helen Mzamber, was a trained nurse of Tiv descent.
Ode’s political career began in 2002 when he was elected as the Benue State secretary of the National Democratic Party.
He later served as the Special Assistant to Governor George Akume and became the caretaker Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area.
Besides, Ode held positions such as Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to Governor Gabriel Suswam.
He also served as the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
With a strong academic background, Ode attended Benue State Polytechnic, the University of Abuja, and the University of Johannesburg.
He is affiliated with the All Progressive Congress (APC) and is married to Christie Sam-Ode, with whom he has six children.