- Edo State governorship election has been slated for September 21 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
- The State has experienced various transformative political developments, both under military and civilian rule since its establishment in 1991
- As the state gears up for its 2024 gubernatorial elections, TheRadar compiled the state governors from 1999 to 2024
The Edo Governorship Election has been slated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for September 21, 2024.
Established as an independent state on August 27, 1991, following the division of Bendel State into Edo and Delta States, Edo State has experienced various transformative political developments, both under military and civilian rule, over the past 29 years.
Who was the first governor of the State?
Let’s begin with the first governor who led the Heartbeat of the Nation.
Meet the first governor of Edo State, John Yeri
John Ewerekumoh Yeri was the first governor of Edo State. Before this role, he served as the Governor of Bendel State from August 1990 to August 1991.
After the division of Bendel State into Edo State and Delta State, Yeri remained the Governor of Edo State until January 1992, when he transferred power to an elected civilian governor.
Despite his brief tenure, Yeri's contributions to the early governance of Edo State established a foundation for future development and progress.
Marked by a focus on governance and progress, his tenure saw significant investments aimed at improving the state's roads.
Yeri was also a Nigerian military officer who served during the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.
As we approach the 2024 Edo gubernatorial election, TheRadar has compiled a list of Edo State governors from 1999 up to the present.
Let's check it out:
Lucky Igbinedion (PDP) May 29, 1999 - May 29, 2007
Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion was elected the state's civilian governor during the return of democracy to Nigeria.
During the period of his governorship, he established the Edo State Polytechnic and was elected as Chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF) from 2006 to 2007.
He served two terms as governor between 1999 and 2007.
Oserheimen Osunbo (APC) May 29, 2007 - Nov 12, 2008
Professor Oserheimen Osunbo served as governor from May 2007 to November 2008.
His time in office was cut short when his election was annulled by the tribunal and Court of Appeal over voting irregularities.
Before this, he was the representative for the Edo Central Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate.
Adams Oshiomhole (APC) Nov 12 2008 - Nov 12 2016
Adams Oshiomhole assumed the role of Edo governor in 2008, following the annulment of Osunbor's victory over him.
The ex-president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) continued to serve for two terms, with his service lasting until 2016.
In 2018, he was elected national chairman of the APC, taking over from Oyegun.
Oshiomhole was sacked in 2020 after a riotous reign that led to the dissolution of the party's national working committee.
Godwin Obaseki (PDP) Nov 12, 2016, to date
Obaseki was elected governor on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket in 2016, defeating Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the PDP, and was sworn in on November 12, 2016.
During the 2020 Edo gubernatorial race, Obaseki aimed for re-election with the APC but was controversially disqualified.
Obaseki announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress on June 16, 2020, and by June 19, 2020, he had defected to the People’s Democratic Party to seek re-election.
On September 20, 2020, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Obaseki the winner of the Edo State gubernatorial election, defeating his primary rival, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress, with a total of 307,955 votes.
Later this year, Obaseki will vacate the position and hand over to his successor, but who would that be?
API survey predicts who will win Edo 2024 guber election
In anticipation of the Edo State governorship election set for September 2024, the Africa Polling Institute (API) published the Edo State 2024 Pre-Election Public Opinion Polling Results.
According to the earlier report by TheRadar, the governorship candidate with 43% won the pre-election poll in a statement signed by the API's Executive Director, Professor Bell Ihua.