Complete List of Akwa Ibom State Governors (1987 – Present)
Akwa Ibom State, located in the South-South region of Nigeria, was carved out of Cross River State on September 23, 1987, by the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. Since its creation, the state has been governed by both military administrators and elected civilian governors.
This post provides a chronological overview of all individuals who have held the position of governor or military administrator in Akwa Ibom State, along with important political and historical facts.
🛡️ Military Administrators (1987–1999)
1. Colonel Tunde Ogbeha
🗓️ September 1987 – July 1988
🛡️ First military administrator after the creation of Akwa Ibom.
Oversaw the early development and relocation of government structures.
2. Colonel Godwin Abbe
🗓️ August 1988 – September 1990
Continued administrative structuring and security organization.
3. Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga
🗓️ September 1990 – January 1992
A native of Akwa Ibom and first indigenous governor.
Contributed to infrastructural and civic developments.
4. Obong Akpan Isemin (Civilian Governor)
🗓️ January 1992 – November 1993
🎖️ First elected civilian governor during Nigeria’s short-lived Third Republic.
Party: National Republican Convention (NRC)
Removed from office following the military coup that ended the Third Republic.
5. Commander Yakubu Bako
🗓️ December 1993 – August 1996
Returned the state to military rule under General Sani Abacha’s regime.
6. Navy Captain Joseph Adeusi
🗓️ August 1996 – August 1998
Focused on maintaining order during national political instability.
7. Group Captain John Ebiye
🗓️ August 1998 – May 1999
Final military administrator.
Handed over power to an elected democratic government in 1999.
🗳️ Democratically Elected Governors (1999–Present)
8. Obong Victor Bassey Attah
🗓️ May 29, 1999 – May 29, 2007
🏛️ Party: People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
Architect by profession and a strong advocate for resource control.
Initiated Ibom Airport, Le Meridien Hotel, and Ibom Power Plant projects.
Known as the “father of modern Akwa Ibom”.
9. Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio
🗓️ May 29, 2007 – May 29, 2015
🏛️ Party: PDP
Launched the “Uncommon Transformation” agenda.
Built major roads, Ibom e-Library, Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, and free education initiative.
Later became Senate Minority Leader and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
10. Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel
🗓️ May 29, 2015 – May 29, 2023
🏛️ Party: PDP
Former Zenith Bank executive and technocrat.
Focused on industrialization: launched Ibom Air, coconut refinery, syringe factory, and more.
Advocated for peace and political continuity.
11. Pastor Umo Bassey Eno (Incumbent)
🗓️ May 29, 2023 – Present
🏛️ Party: PDP
Former Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources.
Emphasizes “ARISE Agenda”: focused on Agriculture, Rural development, Infrastructure, Security, and Education.
Strong advocate of continuity from the Udom Emmanuel administration.
Akwa Ibom has had 11 leaders since 1987: 7 military administrators and 4 elected governors.
Since the return of democracy in 1999, the state has maintained political stability under the PDP.
Developmental focus has evolved from foundational governance (1987–1999) to aggressive infrastructure and industrialization (1999–present).