List Of Governors Of Plateau State And Their Deputies (1999-Present)
This is the most comprehensive list of all the Governors who have served Plateau state from 1999 till date, which include their Deputies, and parties:
Governor | Deputy | Took Office | Left Office |
---|---|---|---|
Joshua Dariye | Michael Botmang | 29 May 1999 | 18 May 2004 |
Jethro Akun | Joshua Dariye | 18 November 2004 | 13 November 2006 |
Michael Botmang | Jethro Akun | 13 November 2006 | 27 April 2007 |
Joshua Dariye | Michael Botmang | 27 April 2007 | 29 May 2007 |
Jonah David Jang | Pauline Tallen | 29 May 2007 | 29 May 2011 |
Sonni Gwanle Tyoden | Ignatius Datong Longjan | 29 May 2011 | 29 May 2015 |
Simon Lalong | Sonni Gwanle Tyoden | 29 May 2015 | 29 May 2023 |
Caleb Mutfwang | Josephine Piyo | 29 May 2023 | Incumbent |
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Who Was The First Governor Of Plateau State?
Joseph Dechi Gomwalk was the first governor of Plateau State. He became the military governor of Benue-Plateau State in 1967, which later became Plateau State, serving from 1967 to 1975.
Gomwalk was a police officer before he became the governor. He was born on April 13, 1935, in Kanke, Nigeria, and died on May 15, 1976, in Lagos, Nigeria. Gomwalk attended Boys’ Secondary School in Gindiri and studied at the University of Ibadan.
During his time as governor, Gomwalk started the Nigerian Standard newspaper in 1972, which is still published in Jos. He also helped set up a branch of the University of Ibadan in Jos, which became the University of Jos.
Despite his efforts, Gomwalk faced problems during his tenure. In 1974, he was accused of misconduct. Although another leader resigned, Gomwalk stayed in office with support from the head of state, Yakubu Gowon.
Unfortunately, Gomwalk was killed by soldiers in 1976, reportedly due to his involvement in a coup attempt. And, the first civilian governor of Plateau State was Solomon Daushep Lar, who served from 1979 to 1983.
Born on April 4, 1933, in Langtang, Plateau State, Lar had a notable political career. He was a member of the Federal Parliament and later became the Minister of Police Affairs. Lar worked on improving infrastructure and state employment laws.
Still, his term ended with a military coup in December 1983, but he later played a part in forming the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Lar passed away on October 9, 2013.
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Who Is The Current Governor Of Plateau State?
The current Governor of Plateau State is Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, who took office on May 29, 2023. Born on March 12, 1965, in Wussasa, Zaria, Mutfwang is a Nigerian lawyer and politician.
Mutfwang went to LEA Primary School Ampang-West in Mangu Local Government Area from 1973 to 1977. He then attended Boys Secondary School, Gindiri, and graduated in 1982.
After a short time working with the Federal Office of Statistics and the Nigerian Bank for Commerce and Industry (NBCI), he continued his education at the School of Preliminary Studies, Keffi, from 1983 to 1984.
He studied at the University of Jos from 1984 to 1988 and went to the Nigerian Law School in 1988. Mutfwang was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court on December 14, 1989.
However, Mutfwang was the Chairman of the Mangu Local Government Area. He has also been involved in different leadership roles, including serving as the President of the Nigerian Christian Corpers’ Fellowship in Kaduna State during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) time.
In his career, Mutfwang worked in private legal practice, was the Deputy General Manager of Legal & Secretarial Services at Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited in Kaduna, and served as the Company Secretary from 2003 to 2004. He is a member of many professional groups, including the Nigerian Bar Association and the Christian Lawyers’ Fellowship of Nigeria.
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Who Is The Current Deputy Governor Of Plateau State?
The current Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Nigeria, is Josephine Chundung Piyo, having taken office in 2023. Born in 1957 in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, Piyo started as a nurse, then became a teacher, and later joined politics.
Piyo’s political journey began in 1999 when she was elected to the Plateau State House of Assembly, serving until 2007. After her time in the Assembly, she worked as a special advisor to the governor from 2008 to 2011.
In 2018, she was elected Chairman of the Riyom Local Government Area, making notable contributions to local governance and community development. Becoming Deputy Governor was a great achievement for Piyo, making her one of the few women to hold such a high position in the state.