Are you wondering who has led Edo State, Nigeria, since its creation in 1990? This guide looks into the history of the state’s governors, from military administrators to elected officials. We’ll troll the tenures of each leader, including the current governor, Godwin Obaseki, and his most recent deputy, Omobayo Godwins.
This comprehensive look at Edo State’s leadership provides an understanding of the state’s political landscape and its development over the past few decades.
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Complete List Of Past And Current Governors Of Edo State
Who Was The First Governor Of Edo State?
The first Governor of Edo State was John Ewerekumoh Yeri. Before serving as the Governor of Edo State, he was the Governor of Bendel State from August 1990 to August 1991.
When Bendel State was divided into Edo State and Delta State, Yeri continued his tenure as the Governor of Edo State until January 1992. Yeri was a Nigerian soldier who held office during the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.
Yeri’s leadership was marked by a commitment to governance and development. He emphasized the importance of traditional rulers in his administration, acknowledging their role in enlightening the people about government policies and programs at the grassroots level.
Also, under his tenure, there were investments made to improve the roads in the state. However, Yeri’s term as governor ended when he handed over to an elected civilian governor in January 1992.
Though his time in office was relatively short, Yeri’s contributions to the early governance of Edo State laid a foundation for future development and progress. As the inaugural governor of Edo State, his leadership set precedents for governance and administration in the state.
Who Is The Current Governor Of Edo State?
The current governor of Edo State is Godwin Obaseki. He has been in office since November 12, 2016. Obaseki was elected governor under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2016.
He once served as the chairman of the Edo State Economic and Strategy Team before he became the state governor. Obaseki holds postgraduate degrees in Finance and International Business and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers, Nigeria.
He has operated as an executive board member of several private companies, including Afrinvest. In politics, Obaseki has been tagged the “Wake and See Governor” for his focus on delivering infrastructural projects without prior fanfare.
He has implemented different policy reforms and initiatives to attract investment and improve the business environment in Edo State. Obaseki’s administration has launched projects such as the Benin River Port Project, the Benin Industrial Park, and the Modular Refinery Project.
In education, Obaseki founded the Edo Basic Education Transformation (Edo BEST) program to train public school teachers and improve learning outcomes.
He has also focused on technical education and workforce development in the state. Obaseki faced controversy during the 2020 Edo Gubernatorial Election when he was disqualified from contesting the primary elections by the APC.
He later resigned from the APC and joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), winning the gubernatorial election against his major opponent Osagie Ize Iyamu.
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Who Is The Current Deputy Governor Of Edo State?
Omobayo Godwins is the current Deputy Governor of Edo State. He took over after Philip Shaibu, the previous deputy, was removed by the state House of Assembly.
The Chief Judge of Edo State, Daniel Okungbowa, gave him the oath of office at the Government House in Benin, the state capital. Godwin was chosen by Governor Godwin Obaseki for this position.
Born on July 19, 1986, Godwins is an engineer who has worked in the oil and gas sector. He got his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Public Administration, both from the University of Benin (UNIBEN).
He is a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). Before this role, he worked as a Senior Maintenance Engineer at Dresser Wayne West Africa Limited.
In his acceptance speech, Godwins thanked Governor Obaseki for picking him and promised to support both the governor and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He pledged to do his best to meet the expectations of Governor Obaseki, the PDP, and the people of Edo State.
Now, as the new Deputy Governor, Godwins faces the challenge of continuing the work of the administration and serving the people of Edo State. With his background in engineering and public administration, he brings valuable skills to the role.