THE WEEKEND
22
Edo @ 22
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2013
The Political History Of Edo State At A Glance
EDO State is one of the oldest political entities of Nigeria which has over the years moved into a great political greatness. The state has a lot of political history which dates back to the Mid-
have ruled the state right from the Midwestern region to when it was known as Bendel State and now Edo state is as follows: Chief Dennis Chukudebe Osadebay
By EDIONHON UYI THOMPSON
renamed the Midwestern state to the ‘Republic of Benin’ lasted a few hours before the state was liberated from the Biafia secessionist force by the Nigeria Federal troops in September. Brig. Gen. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, served as administrator and lasted as the Military Governor of Midwestern state from September 1967 to July 1975. He was born on September 17th, 1932 in Benin City
civilian government, Waziri combined his responsibilities as military administrator with those of Brigade Commander, 4 Mechanized Army, Benin City. He retired as a Major General. Prof. Ambrose Folorusho Alli served as Civilian Governor from October 1979 to September 1983, he was the first executive governor of Bendel State under the political party platform of UPN.
• Comrade Adams Oshiomhole
Western region from when it was known as Mid-Western State, after which it became Bendel State and now Edo State. Edo state was created 27th day of August 1991 which the state capital is Benin City and the 1991 census shows that 2,159,848 people where then living/residing in the state but the 2005 census estimated the population of Edo State to be 3,491,502 and by all indications the population figure of Edo State must have grown rapidly over the last census carried out in the year 2005. Edo state is an inland state in western Nigeria where its capital is Benin City and it is bounded in the north and east by Kogi State, in the south by Delta State and in the west by Ondo State. The state which is also known as the Heart Beat of the Nation (Nigeria) came into existence on the 27th day of August 1991 and the political structure of the state can be traced back to when the state was under the MidWestern region of Nigeria. The governors and administrations that
who was appointed as administrator of the newly created Midwestern region on August 19th, 1963 and he eventually became the first premier from February 1964 to January 15th, 1966 under the political party platform of (NCNC). He was born in Asaba, Delta State on June 29 th, 1911 and a lawyer by profession; Lt. Col. David Akpode Ejoor, served as a Military Governor from January 1966 to August 1967 and was the first military governor of Midwestern state. Born on January 10, 1934 and his rule was cut short by the invasion and occupation of Midwestern state by Biafia secessionist troops in August 9th 1967. Major Albert Nwazu Okonkwo served as Biafia secessionist occupation force administrator of Midwestern state from August 17th to September 20 th , 1967. He was appointed an administrator by Biafia secessionist leader Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu when the state was under rebel occupation forces who
Oyegun a Civilian Governor of Edo State from 1992 to 1993 and was the first civilian governor of Edo State. Colonel Mohammed Onuka served as a Military Governor of Edo State from 1994 to 1996. Group Capt. Baba Adamu Iyam served as a Military Governor of Edo State from 1996 to 1998. Navy Captain A.I. Onyearugbulem served as a Military Governor of Edo State from 1998 to 1999. Chief Lucky N. Igbinedion served as a Civilian Governor of Edo State from 29th May 1999 to 29th May 2007 under the political party platform of PDP. Prof. Oserhiemen Osunbor served as a Civilian Governor of Edo State from 2007 to 2008. Comrade Adams A. Oshiomhole is the present serving civilian governor of Edo State was sworn into office
been controlled by elected chairmen who sees through the day to day running of the local government council and also bring developmental awareness to the areas. The political structure of the state which is been headed by the governor and other elected officers whom are well elected into various political offices and there are ministries under the state government which are controlled by commissioners appointed by the governor and each of the ministries also have permanent secretaries and directors working under the supervision of the commissioners to see to the day to day activities of the various ministries. The ministries under the present political structure/ administration in Edo State lead by the comrade governor Adams Oshiomhole are: Ministry of Urban
Prof. Osunbor
the Edo State capital and he was appointed military administrator following the liberation of the state from Biafia secessionist occupation. Col. George Agbazika Innih served as Military Governor of Bendel State from August 1975 to March 1976 and was born on September 25th, 1939 at Agnebode, Edo State. Commodore Husaini Abullahi who served as Military Governor of Bendel State from March 1976 to July 1978. Brigadier Abubakar Waziri, served as Military Administrator of Bendel State from July 24th, 1978 to September 30th, 1979. During the transitional period of military to
Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia served as a Civilian Governor of Bendel State from October 1983 to December 1983 and won the gubernatorial election in the political party platform of NPN. Colonel John Mark Inienger, who served as a Military Governor of Bendel State from September 1985 to July 1988 and was born on April 16th 1945. Colonel Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha served as a military governor of Bendel State from 1988 to 1990. Colonel John Ewerekumoh Yeri was a military governor of Edo State from 1990 to 1992. Chief John Odigie-
• Chief Lucky Igbinedion
November 12th 2008 after the Appeal Court, Edo State declared him the winner of Edo State gubernatorial election of April 2007 under the political party platform of Action Congress (AC). Prior to his election as governor he was the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Edo state is comprised of 18 local government areas and the local government areas are
Development & Housing, Ministry of Basic Education, Ministry of Oil & Gas, Ministry of Environment & Public Utilities, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Ministry of Youth & Sports, Ministry of Lands, Housing & Survey, Ministry of Budget Planning & Economic Continues on Pg 23