By Prince Chime
Enugu State was carved out from the Old Anambra State in the year 1991 after having served as the state’s capital for some years. Since then there have been notable events in the state’s political and economic history that is worth reading about and one of them is about their former leaders and Governors, how far they went through their tenure and what they have been up to since they left office.
Since the creation of Enugu State from Anambra State on August 27th, 1991, Enugu State has seen numerous leaders, some regarded as failures while some are being hailed as arguably the best performing governor the state has ever produced. Enugu State, since its creation, has had democratic and civilian leaders as well as military leaders and we will be talking about them.
The former governors of Enugu State include; Lt. Colonel Herbert Obi-Eze (Military Governor), Okwesilieze Nwodo (First Elected Civilian Governor), Temi Ejoor (Military Administrator), Mike Torey (Administrator), Sule Ahman (Administrator), Adewunmi Agbaje (Administrator), Chimaraoke Nnamani (Civilian Governor), Sullivan Chime (Civilian Governor) and currently Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Civilian Governor).
Lt. Colonel Herbert Obi-Eze (1991 to 1992)
He was the military administrator of the Old Anambra during the time Enugu State was carved out from Anambra state and he had to continue as the Governor of Enugu State, albeit, as a military man. He handed over to the first elected civilian governor of Enugu State in the year 1992.
After several years of handing over the leadership of Enugu State, he later became the head of the Imo state security council in the year 2007.
Up until now, no further details is available about him.
Okwesilieze Nwodo (January 1992 to November 1993)
Okwesilieze Nwodo became the first elected civilian Governor of Enugu State under the platform of the Nigerian Third Republic (NRC) in the year 1992 and then vacated office in the year 1993 after the military coup that saw General Abacha come into power.
Ever since the last day of his office as the governor of Enugu State, he has been actively involved in Politics.
He was elected as the Secretary-General of PDP between 1991 and 2001.
In the year 2010, Okwesilieze Nwodo was elected the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party. After serving as the national PDP Chairman, he was elected as the President of the Beta Sigma Fraternity in the year 2014, a position he held till 2016.
Read this – All past governors of Imo State and what they are up to outlined
Today, he seemed to have remained relevant to the political history of Enugu State.
He is brother to John Nnia Nwodo, the 9th and immediate past President General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo.
Temi Ejoor (1993 – 1994)
Under the military coup that brought in General Sani Abacha, Temi Ejoor was made the military administrator of Enugu State from 8 December 1993 – 14 September 1994.
Not much is known about him and his social or political involvement after then till now.
Mike Torey (1994 to 1996)
He became the military administrator of Enugu State after the regime of Temi Ejoor from 1994 to 1996. This was after he was the administrator of Ondo state.
He however passed away on the 16th day of November 2013.
Sule Ahman (1996 to 1998)
After his support for General Sani Abacha, Ahman was rewarded for his loyalty by being made the military administrator of Enugu State from 1996 to 1998. Not many details are known about him for now.
Adewunmi Agbaje (1998 to 1999)
He was the military administrator of Enugu State from 1998 till 1999 when Nigeria transited back to Democracy and he handed over to the elected civilian Governor, Chimaraoke Nnamani.
Chimaraoke Nnamani (1999 to 2007)
Chimaraoke Nnamani marked the return of Enugu State to Democratic rule by a wonderful two tenure. He was elected under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and remained with the party throughout his two tenures. He was voted in immediately after the end of his tenure as Governor as the senator representing Enugu East from 2007 to 2011.
Currently, he is still serving as a senator for Enugu East under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP since he was reelected in 2019.
Sullivan Chime (2007 to 2015)
Sullivan Chime took over from Chimaraoke Nnamani in the year 2007 after serving as the Special adviser of Chimaraoke Nnamani (Legal Matters) and then as the attorney-general and commissioner of Justice, Enugu State.
Currently, he is with the All Progressive Congress (APC) where he hopes to further his political ambition by either running for senator or any other political position.
Connect with us on LinkedIn
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.