In the history of Nigerian politics, no state governor has ever willingly said he’s satisfied with a term in office. It’s even a survival of the fittest for the second term bidders. If they had their way, they’d love to stay in office for life
In this article, we compiled the list of state governors in Nigeria between 2003 to 2007. Most of the names that appear in this list served as governors between 1999 to 2003 (first time), while some others lost out due to party politics.
Other factors that may hinder a state governor from completing their tenure includes nullification by the court due to lawsuit, death, impeachment.
For instance, all the Alliance for Democracy (AD) states in the South-West geopolitical zone except Lagos lost to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In another scenario, Chris Ngige of PDP in Anambra state had his election nullified by the court and Peter Obi of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
In Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose who defeated an AD candidate during the governorship election was impeached in controversial circumstances, leading to a state of emergency declaration by the then president Olusegun Obasanjo.
So, below is a list of Nigerian state governors who were in office between 2003 to 2007
| State | Governors | Political Platform | Notes |
| Abia | Orji Uzor Kalu | PDP | Second term |
| Anambra | Chris Ngige Peter Obi | PDP APGA | Ngige had the most turbulent stay in office as there were attempts to get him impeached which were unsuccessful. However, in August 2005 an election Tribunal nullified his 2003 victory. The annulment was upheld by the Federal Court of Appeal on March 15, 2006. Peter Obi APGA was sworn as the governor of Anambra |
| Akwa Ibom | Victor Attah | PDP | Second term |
| Adamawa | Boni Haruna | PDP | Returning governor |
| Bauchi | Adamu Mu’azu | PDP | Returning governor |
| Bayelsa | Diepreye Alamieyeseigha | PDP | Alamieyeseigha was impeached on December 9, 2005, for corruption after disguising as a woman from the United Kingdom. His deputy Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in. |
| Benue | George Akume | PDP | Returning governor |
| Borno | Ali Modu Sheriff | ANPP | First-term |
| Cross River | Donald Duke | PDP | Second term |
| Delta | James Ibori | PDP | Second term |
| Edo | Lucky Igbinedion | PDP | Second term |
| Ebonyi | Sam Egwu | PDP | Second term |
| Ekiti | Ayo Fayose | PDP Administrator | Fayose was impeached on October 16, 2006, in controversial circumstances leading to political turmoil. Obasanjo declared a state of emergency and Maj.-Gen. Tunji Olurin was sworn in as an administrator |
| Enugu | Chimaroke Nnamani | PDP | Returning governor |
| Gombe | Mohammed Danjuma Goje | PDP | First-term |
| Jigawa | Ibrahim Saminu Turaki | ANPP | Second term |
| Imo | Achike Udenwa | PDP | Second term |
| Kano | Ibrahim Shekarau | ANPP | First-term by defeating incumbent Rabiu Kwankwaso of PDP |
| Kaduna | Ahmed Makarfi | PDP | Second term |
| Katsina | Umaru Musa Yar’Adua | PDP | Second term |
| Kogi | Ibrahim Idris | PDP | First-term by defeating incumbent Abubakar Audu of aPP |
| Kebbi | Adamu Aliero | ANPP | Second term |
| Lagos | Bola Tinubu | AC | Second term |
| Kwara | Bukola Saraki | PDP | First-term. Saraki defeated Mohammed Lawal of APP, an incumbent governor |
| Nasarawa | Abdullahi Adamu | PDP | Second term |
| Niger | Abdulkadir Kure | PDP | Second term |
| Ogun | Gbenga Daniel | PDP | First-term. He unseats Olusegun Osoba of AD |
| Ondo | Olusegun Agagu | PDP | First-term. He defeated Adebayo Adefarati of AD |
| Oyo | Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Christopher Alao-Akala | PDP | Rashidi Ladojawas impeached on January 12, 2006, before he was reinstated by the court and he officially re-assumed office on December 12, 2006 |
| Osun | Olagunsoye Oyinlola | PDP | First-term. He kicked Bisi Akande of AD out of office at the poll |
| Plateau | Joshua Dariye Chris Alli Joshua Dariye (He was reinstated) | PDP Administrator | He was suspended by President Olusegun due to religious turmoil, state of emergency was declared. |
| Rivers | Peter Odili | PDP | Second term |
| Sokoto | Attahiru Bafarawa | ANPP | Second term |
| Taraba | Jolly Nyame | PDP | Second term |
| Yobe | Bukar Ibrahim | ANPP | Second term |
| Zamfara | Ahmad Sani Yerima | ANPP | Second term |
How many governors did PDP produce in 2003?
The PDP won in 28 states during the 2003 governorship election. They later lost Anambra to APGA through court case
How many states did AD win in the 2003 governorship election?
AD only won Lagos State. They lost other states in the southwest zone. The party later metamorphosed into Action Congress (AC)
Who contested against Tinubu in 2003?
The Funsho Williams was the major contender against Tinubu in 2003.
How many state governors did ANPP produce in the 2003 election?
APP which would later change name to ANPP won seven states, including Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara
Takeaway:
The most political drama since 1999 happened during the second term of President Olusegun Obasanjo. That was a time Obasanjo invoked a section of the constitution to declare state of emergencies in two Nigerian states (Ekiti and Plateau).
Apart from the abuse of office by the affected governors, OBJ was also accused of using his presidential power to settle political score. For instance, Ladoja of Oyo state said he was impeached because he didn’t support the third agenda of Obasanjo.
Sources:
- The New Humanitarian (May 18, 2004). “Obasanjo declares state of emergency in Plateau State”. thenewhumanitarian.org. Retrieved March 16, 2022
- Sahara Reporters (OCT 18, 2006). “BREAKING NEWS : State of Emergency declared in Ekiti State”. Saharareporters.com. Retrieved March 16, 2022
- Featured image: Premium Times