List Of Governors Of Ebonyi State And Their Deputies (1999-Present)
This is a comprehensive list of all the Governors who have served Ebonyi State from 1991 till date, which include their deputies:
Governor | Deputy Governor | Took Office | Left Office |
|---|---|---|---|
Sam Egwu | Emmanuel Isu | 29 May 1999 | 29 May 2007 |
Martin Elechi | Dave Umahi | 29 May 2007 | 29 May 2015 |
Dave Umahi | Eric Kelechi Igwe | 29 May 2015 | 29 May 2023 |
Francis Nwifuru | Patricia Obila | 29 May 2023 | Incumbent |
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Who Was The First Governor Of Ebonyi State?
Ebonyi State, located in southeastern Nigeria, was created in October 1996 during the military rule of General Sani Abacha, and the first person to lead the state was Navy Commander (retired) Walter Feghabo.
He was appointed as the Military Administrator of Ebonyi State and served from October 7, 1996, until August 1998. As the first administrator, Walter Feghabo’s job was to set up the basic structure of the state’s government.
He focused on establishing the civil service, which is the group of people who help run the government, and other important offices needed for the state to function.
This was important because Ebonyi was a new state, and it needed a strong foundation to start operating effectively. After Walter Feghabo’s tenure, he was succeeded by Simeon Oduoye, who took over as the Military Administrator in August 1998.
Oduoye continued the work started by Feghabo to help further organize the civil service and improve the state’s administration.
The shift from military rule to civilian governance began with the election of Sam Egwu, who became the first elected governor of Ebonyi State on May 29, 1999.
Under Sam Egwu’s leadership, the state began to focus more on development projects and policies to improve the lives of its citizens.
Who Is The Current Governor Of Ebonyi State?
The current Governor of Ebonyi State is Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, taken office on May 29, 2023, after winning the gubernatorial election. Nwifuru is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He succeeded David Umahi, who was the governor from 2015 to 2023. In the election, Nwifuru received 199,131 votes, which was much more than his closest competitor from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who got 80,191 votes.
Nwifuru was the Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly. He was popular for his leadership in the Assembly, where he worked to create a good relationship between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
However, as governor, Nwifuru has focused on helping young people and making sure that everyone is included in governance.
He has appointed many young people to his cabinet, which shows his belief in bringing new ideas to the state’s leadership.
His approach is in line with his plan called the Ebonyi Charter of Needs, which aims to address the needs of the citizens directly and promote open governance by involving the community.
Since taking office, Governor Nwifuru has made the welfare of civil servants a top priority. He increased their salaries and approved the hiring of new workers for the state civil service.
Additionally, his administration has been working on improving infrastructure, such as building roads and housing for traditional rulers, as part of a larger plan to develop rural areas.
He has also focused on improving schools and vocational training to raise the literacy rate and help people gain new skills in the state. On a personal note, Francis Nwifuru is married to Chief Mrs. Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, and they have five children.
READ ALSO: List Of Ekiti Governors, And Deputies (1999-Present)
Who Is The Current Deputy Governor Of Ebonyi State?
Patricia Obila is the current Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State. She took office on May 29, 2023. Patricia is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and comes from Nkpoghoro in Afikpo, Ebonyi State.
She has served as the Vice Chairman of Afikpo North Local Government Area for two terms. During her time as Vice Chairman, Patricia focused on important issues like education, healthcare, and building better infrastructure.
She was known for her collaborative leadership style. Now, as Deputy Governor, Patricia Obila supports Governor Francis Nwifuru in leading the state.
Together, they have focused on key areas like economic development, social welfare, and improving infrastructure. Their goal is to make life better for the people of Ebonyi State through good governance that is transparent and accountable.
