Delta State, situated in Nigeria's southern region, has had various leaders since Nigeria gained independence in 1960, both military and civilian. After independence in 1960, Nigeria had only three regions, and the area of the future Delta State was located in the Western Region. The Mid-Western Region was separated from the Western Region in August 1963 and had Dennis Osadebay as its first premier. Osadebay served until January 1966, when he was replaced by David Akpode Ejoor, the first military governor. Control of the region was contested during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), and Ejoor was replaced by Samuel Ogbemudia. Ogbemudia governed the Mid-Western Region from September 1967 to July 1975. The region was renamed and reorganised as the Bendel State on 17 March 1976, its name a combination of the old Benin and Delta provinces. Some governors during this time period include George Agbazika Innih, Husaini Abdullahi, and Ambrose Folorunsho Alli. Ogbemudia also returned for a three-month stint as a civilian governor in 1983 before the military reasserted control.

The modern Delta State was established on 27 August 1991, following the division of Bendel State into Edo and Delta states. Felix Ibru became the first civilian governor of Delta State from January 1992 to November 1993, followed by military governors. In the democratic era, James Ibori served from 1999 to 2007, and was succeeded by Emmanuel Uduaghan. Ifeanyi Okowa served from 2015 to 2023, followed by Sheriff Oborevwori, who is the incumbent.

List of governors Western Region The Western Region was governed by a premier and a ceremonial governor. From October 1954 to December 1959, Obafemi Awolowo served as the region's first premier, during which he implemented the Universal Primary Education programme. He was succeeded by Samuel Ladoke Akintola, who held the position until the region's political crisis escalated in the early 1960s. Meanwhile, Adesoji Aderemi served as the Governor of the Western Region, a largely ceremonial role that represented the British monarchy until Nigeria became a republic in 1963. The premier was responsible for the region's executive functions. Administrators were usually appointed to rule a state when there is a political crisis or state of emergency.

In 1962, a political crisis occurred when Governor Aderemi dismissed Akintola following allegations of corruption and maladministration. This led to a state of emergency in the region. During the emergency, Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi was appointed as the temporary administrator, displacing the region's political leadership. After six months, Akintola was reinstated as premier following a court ruling overturning his dismissal. The political instability during this period contributed to the regional tensions that persisted even after the Western Region was split and the Mid-Western Region was created in 1963.

Mid-Western Region

The Mid-Western Region of Nigeria was created on 9 August 1963. The region was carved out of the Western Region, becoming Nigeria's fourth region. The Mid-Western Region initially had a premier, but later military governors would also serve as the chief officials.

Dennis Osadebay served as the region's first civilian leader, and was premier from August 1963 to January 1966. Political turmoil led to military administrations, starting with David Akpode Ejoor in January 1966. The region was taken by the Biafran Armed Forces during the Nigerian Civil War, with Albert Okonkwo administering the area from August to September 1967 on behalf of Biafra.

Samuel Ogbemudia served as military governor from September 1967 to July 1975.

+ Governors and Military Administrators of the Mid-Western Region, NigeriaNameTitleTerm in officeNotes1 Dennis OsadebayPremier–January 1966First and only Premier of the Mid-Western Region2 David EjoorMilitary Governor–August 1967The 15 January 1966 military coup in Nigeria led to Ejoor's appointment as Military Governor of the Midwest Region. As Lieutenant-Colonel and Commander of the Army Battalion in Enugu, he was involved in the events surrounding the coup. Following the coup, Ejoor became a member of the Supreme Military Council (SMC), Nigeria's highest governing body.3 Albert OkonkwoAdministrator–September 1967Administered the region under Biafran control during the Nigerian Civil War 4 Samuel OgbemudiaMilitary Governor–July 1975Known for post-war reconstruction and development projects

Bendel State Following administrative changes in Nigeria, the Mid-Western Region was renamed Bendel State on 17 March 1976. This renaming was part of a broader national effort to reorganise Nigeria's states and local governments under the regime of General Murtala Mohammed.

George Agbazika Innih was the first military governor of Bendel State. He was followed by Husaini Abdullahi, who governed from March 1976 to July 1978. Abubakar Waziri served as the military administrator from 24 July 1978 to 30 September 1979. Ambrose Folorunsho Alli was elected as the first executive civilian governor in October 1979 under the Unity Party of Nigeria and served until September 1983. Samuel Ogbemudia was elected as a civilian governor under the National Party of Nigeria and briefly served from October to December 1983. His brief tenure was due to the 1983 military coup to oust Alhaji Shehu Shagari and install Muhammadu Buhari as military head of state.

Jeremiah Timbut Useni took office in January 1984 and led till 27 August 1985, followed by John Mark Inienger from September 1985 to July 1988. Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha governed from July 1988 to August 1990, and John Ewerekumoh Yeri served from August 1990 to 27 August 1991. The state was divided into Edo and Delta states on 27 August 1991 with Luke Chijiuba Ochulor serving as the first military governor of the newly formed Delta State.

+ Executive Governors and Military Administrators of Bendel State, NigeriaNameTitleTerm in officeNotes1 George Agbazika InnihMilitary Governor–March 19762Husaini AbdullahiMilitary Governor–July 1978Following the unsuccessful Dimka coup, the Supreme Military Council reorganised the governance structure. On 15 March 1976, it was announced that George Agbazika Innih would be reassigned from Bendel State to Kwara State, which had been without a permanent governor since Taiwo's assassination. Concurrently, Captain Hussein Abdullahi, a naval officer, was appointed to succeed Innih in Bendel State.3 Abubakar WaziriMilitary Governor–30 September 1979Also served as a brigade commander for Nigeria Army Benin City4 Ambrose Folorunsho AlliExecutive Governor–September 1983Elected as the first civilian governor of Bendel under the umbrella of the Unity Party of Nigeria5 Samuel OgbemudiaExecutive Governor–31 December 1983Brief return to civilian rule, under the umbrella of the National Party of Nigeria, before the 1983 military coup6Jeremiah UseniMilitary Governor–27 August 19857 John Mark IniengerMilitary Governor–July 19888Jonathan Tunde OgbehaMilitary Governor–August 19909John Ewerekumoh YeriMilitary Governor–27 August 1991Last military governor before the creation of Edo and Delta states

Delta State Delta State was established on 27 August 1991, following the division of Bendel State into Edo and Delta States. A new office was created for the 1999 elections: deputy governor of Delta State. Deputies were elected on a joint ticket with the gubernatorial candidate, and thus share the same party by default.

The 2011 Delta State gubernatorial re-run election took place after the annulment of the 2007 election by the Federal High Court, which had initially declared Emmanuel Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party as the winner. The re-run, organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, resulted in Uduaghan retaining his position by winning in 12 out of the 22 local government areas where results were collated, defeating Great Ogboru of the Democratic People's Party, who secured victories in 10 local government areas.

+ Military and Executive Governors of Delta StateGovernorTerm in officePartyElection1Luke Chijiuba Ochulor–January 1992MilitaryOffice did not exist2 Felix Ibru–November 1993 SDP19913Abdulkadir Shehu–10 December 1993Military4Bassey Asuquo–26 September 1994Military5Ibrahim Kefas–22 August 1996Military6John Dungs–12 August 1998Military7Walter Feghabo–29 May 1999Military8James Ibori–29 May 2007 PDP199920039Emmanuel Uduaghan–29 May 2015 PDP20072011 by-election201110Ifeanyi Okowa–29 May 2023 PDP2015201911Sheriff Oborevwori–Incumbent PDP2023

See also List of governors of Edo State List of state governors of Nigeria

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