The governor of Ondo State is the head of government of Ondo State in Nigeria. The governor is the head of the executive branch of the Ondo State Government. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Ondo State House of Assembly, to convene the legislature and grant pardons.
When Ondo State was created from the Western State in 1976, Group Captain Ita David Ikpeme was appointed its first governor. Olusegun Mimiko served the longest term as governor, serving for two consecutive terms of 4 years from 2009 to 2017.
Since the creation of the state in 1976, 19 people have served as governor, 12 military governors and 7 civilian governors. Brigadier General Raji Rasaki served the shortest term in office of 7 months.
The current governor is Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was sworn in on 27 December 2023 following the death of Rotimi Akeredolu.
Governors
Military governors (1976–1979) Ondo State was created on 3 February 1976 and General Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Ita David Ikpeme as military governor on 17 March 1976.
Governor Term of office Party Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office1 Group CaptainIta David Ikpeme 17 March 1976 24 July 1978 Military2 BrigadierSunday Tuoyo 24 July 1978 1 October 1979
Second Republic (1979–1983)
Under the 1979 Constitution, the second constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the governor was both head of state and government. The governor was elected for a four-year term. In the event of a vacancy the deputy governor would have served as acting governor.
Governor Term of office Political party Elected Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office3 Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin 1 October 1979 31 December 1983 Unity Party of Nigeria 19791983
Military governors (1984–1992) Major General Muhammadu Buhari was made military head of state following the coup d'ètat of 1983, which overthrew the Second Republic. He appointed his military governors in January 1984. He was in turn overthrown by General Ibrahim Babangida on 27 August 1985.
Governor Term of office Party Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office4 CommodoreMichael Bamidele Otiko 2 January 1984 2 September 1985 Military5 Navy CaptainMichael Okhai Akhigbe 2 September 1985 26 August 1986 6 ColonelEkundayo B. Opaleye 26 August 1986 17 December 1987 7 Brigadier GeneralRaji Alagbe Rasaki 17 December 1987 July 1988 8 CommodoreBode George July 1988 3 September 1990 9 Navy CaptainSunday Abiodun Olukoya 3 September 1990 3 January 1992
Third Republic (1992–1993)
Under the 1979 Constitution, the second constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the governor was both head of state and government. The governor was elected for a four-year term. In the event of a vacancy the deputy governor would have served as acting governor.
Governor Term of office Political party Elected Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office10 Bamidele Olumilua 3 January 1992 17 November 1993 Social Democratic Party 1991
Military administrators (1993–1999) General Sani Abacha led the palace coup d'ètat of 1993 which overthrew the Third Republic. He appointed his military administrators in December 1993.
Administrator Term of office Party Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office11 ColonelMike Torey 9 December 1993 September 1994 Military12 ColonelAhmed Usman September 1994 22 August 1996 13 Navy CaptainAnthony Onyearugbulem 22 August 1996 7 August 1998 14 ColonelMoses Fasanya 7 August 1998 29 May 1999
Fourth Republic (1999–present)
Under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the governor is both head of state and government. The governor is elected for a four-year term. In the event of a vacancy, the deputy governor would serve as acting governor.
Governor Term of office Political party Elected Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office15 Chief Adebayo Adefarati 29 May 1999 29 May 2003 years Alliance for Democracy 199916 Olusegun Agagu 29 May 2003 23 February 2009 Peoples Democratic Party 2003200717 Olusegun Mimiko 24 February 2009 24 February 2017 years Labour PartyPeoples Democratic Party 201218 Rotimi Akeredolu 24 February 2017 27 December 2023 All Progressives Congress 2016202019 Lucky Aiyedatiwa 27 December 2023 Incumbent All Progressives Congress 2024
See also States of Nigeria List of state governors of Nigeria
References
External links "Nigeria death fails to halt poll", BBC News, March 29, 2007.