List of governors of Imo State

Governor of Imo State

Seal of Imo State of Nigeria

Flag of Imo State of Nigeria

Incumbent
Hope Uzodimma

since January 2020

Government of Imo State
Style|

* Governor (informal)
* His Excellency or Your Excellency (courtesy)[1]

Member of| Executive Council of Imo State[2]
Reports to| President of Nigeria
Seat| Awka
Appointer| Popular vote[2]
Term length| Four years, renewable once consecutively[2]
Constituting instrument| Constitution of Nigeria
Inaugural holder| Sam Mbakwe
Formation| October 1979
Deputy| Deputy governor of Imo State
Website| imostate.gov.ng
Location of Imo State in Nigeria

Imo State, located in the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria,[a] has been governed by a succession of military governors, administrators, and elected governors since its formation on 3 February 1976, when the former East Central State was divided into Imo and Anambra. This action was part of a nationwide state-creation reform under the military regime of Murtala Mohammed. Before 1976, the area lay within the Eastern Region. After the regional system was dissolved on 27 May 1967 by Yakubu Gowon during the Nigerian Civil War, the Eastern Region was split into East Central State, Rivers State, and South-Eastern State.[b] East Central State covered much of the Igbo-speaking area until its division in 1976. During that period, Ukpabi Asika served as administrator until 1975, followed by Anthony Ochefu until the state's dissolution. From its creation in 1976, Imo State was governed by military appointees: Ndubuisi Kanu (1976–1977), Adekunle Lawal (1977–1978), and Sunday Ajibade Adenihun (1978–1979). With the advent of the Second Republic in October 1979, Samuel Mbakwe of the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) served as the first civilian governor from October 1979 to December 1983. Military rule returned by the end of 1983, and between 1984 and 1992 the state was led by Ike Nwachukwu (1984–1985), Allison Madueke (1985–1985), Amadi Ikwechegh (1986–1990), and Anthony Oguguo (1990–1992).

During the Third Republic, Evan Enwerem of the National Republican Convention (NRC) held office from January 1992 until the 1993 coup. Subsequent administrators were James Aneke (1993–1996), and Tanko Zubairu (1996–1999). Since the return of democracy under the Fourth Republic in 1999, all of Imo's governors have been elected. The incumbent governor is Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who has been in office since his election in March 2019.

## List of governors

[edit]

### Eastern Region

[edit]

Before Nigeria's independence in 1960, the territory that now constitutes Imo State was part of the Eastern Region, one of the country's original administrative divisions.[5] During the colonial era, British officials governed the Eastern Region, with Clement Pleass (1954–1956) and Robert Stapledon (1956–1960) serving as governors. After independence, Francis Akanu Ibiam (1960–1966) became the first Nigerian governor of the Eastern Region, while Michael Okpara served as its premier (1960–1966). However, following Nigeria’s first military coup in January 1966, the military abolished the regional system, dismissed civilian premiers, and appointed military administrators, with Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu governing the Eastern Region from January 1966 until its dissolution in May 1967.[5][6] A premier was responsible for the region's executive functions.[7] Administrators were usually appointed to rule a state when there is a political crisis or state of emergency.[8]

### East Central State

[edit]

East Central State was created on 27 May 1967 by the military government of Yakubu Gowon as part of a national restructuring effort that dissolved the regional system and replaced it with twelve states.[9] The new state was carved out of the former Eastern Region and was composed predominantly of Igbo-speaking populations.[10][11] Its capital was Enugu.[12]

The state existed from 1967 until 3 February 1976, when it was divided into two separate states—Anambra and Imo—under the nationwide state-creation exercise carried out by the military regime of Murtala Mohammed.[13][10] During its nine-year existence, East Central State was governed entirely by military-appointed officials. The first was Ukpabi Asika, who was appointed as administrator in 1967 and remained in office until July 1975.[14][15] His tenure covered the entire duration of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), during which he oversaw the East Central State government’s efforts to manage war-related devastation, provide relief, and reintegrate the region into Nigeria.[16] In July 1975, he was replaced by Anthony Ochefu, a military officer who governed the state until its dissolution in February 1976.[17]

A military governor was the head of a state during Nigeria's military era, appointed by the head of the federal military government to administer states, as established by Decree No. 14 of 1967. He exercised executive powers on behalf of the central military government.[18] In contrast, an executive governor is the democratically elected chief executive of a state under the 1999 Constitution, empowered to lead the state government, implement laws, and oversee public administration. The deputy governor is elected on the same ticket as the governor and serves as the second-in-command, assuming the governorship in the event of the governor's death, incapacitation, or resignation, and assisting in administrative duties as assigned.[2]

### Imo State

[edit]

Imo State was created on 3 February 1976 following the subdivision of the former East Central State into Anambra and Imo States, as part of a nationwide restructuring executed by the military government of Murtala Mohammed.[19][10] From its creation, Imo has undergone multiple phases of military and civilian governance. The first military governor of Imo State was Ndubuisi Kanu, who governed from March 1976 until 1977.[20] He was succeeded by Adekunle Lawal (1977–1978), followed by Sunday Ajibade Adenihun, who served until the end of military rule in 1979.[21] In the Second Republic, Sam Mbakwe of the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) became the first elected civilian governor of Imo State, holding office from October 1979 to December 1983, until the 1983 Nigerian coup d'état ended the civilian administration.[22][23] Following the coup, military governors resumed control, beginning with Ike Nwachukwu (1984–1985), then Allison Madueke (1985–1986), Amadi Ikwechegh (1986–1990), and Anthony Oguguo (1990–1992).[24] In the short-lived Third Republic, Evan Enwerem of the National Republican Convention (NRC) was elected governor and served from January 1992 until the return of military rule in November 1993.[25] Subsequent military administrators were James Aneke (1993–1996) and Tanko Zubairu (1996–1999), who remained in office until the restoration of democratic governance in 1999.[26][27]

Under the Fourth Republic, Achike Udenwa of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) was elected and served from 1999 to 2007. He was succeeded by Ikedi Ohakim, who initially won under the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) but later defected to the PDP, serving until 2011. Rochas Okorocha, who initially contested in the 2011 election under the umbrella of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC) for his second tenure, governed from 2011 to 2019.[28][19] In the 2019 election, Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP was declared the winner and sworn in as governor. However, on 15 January 2020, the Supreme Court of Nigeria overturned the election result, ruling that votes from 388 polling units were unlawfully excluded. The court declared that the APC candidate Hope Uzodimma had the majority of lawful votes and ordered him sworn in as the duly elected governor. Ihedioha's certificate of return was nullified, and Uzodinma became governor on the same day, and is the incumbent governor.[29][28]

Heads of the government of Imo State  Governor  | Term in office[c] | Party | Election | D. Governor

|
|
|
|

| Ndubuisi Kanu
(b. 1943, d. 2021)
[20][30] | March 1976

August 1977
[20][21] |  | Military governor | —  | Office did not exist
| Adekunle Lawal
(b. 1934, d. 1980)
[31] | 10 August 1977

23 July 1978
[24][32]
—  | Sunday Ajibade Adenihun
| 25 July 1978

30 September 1979
[24]
| Sam Mbakwe
(b. 1930, d. 2004)
[22][33] | 1 October 1979

31 December 1983
[34] |  | NPP
[35] | 1979
1983
[35][36] | Isaac Uzoigwe
[37][38][d]
—  | Ike Nwachukwu
(b. 1940)
[39] | 4 January 1984

27 August 1985
[25][24] |  | Military governor | —  | Office abolished
—  | Allison Madueke
(b. 1944)
[40] | 4 September 1985

28 August 1986
[24]
—  | Amadi Ikwechegh
(b. 1951, d. 2009)
[41][42] | 29 August 1986

2 September 1990
[24]
—  | Anthony Oguguo | 3 September 1990

2 January 1992
[24]
—  | Evan Enwerem
(b. 1935, d. 2007)
[43][44] | 2 January 1992

December 1993
[45] |  | NRC
[25] | 1991
[46] | Douglas Acholonu
[47][48]
—  | James Aneke
(b. 1947)
[26] | December 1993

August 1996
[25] |  | Military administrator | —  | Office abolished
—  | Tanko Zubairu
(b. 1947, d. 2021)
[49][27] | 22 August 1996

29 May 1999
[27]
—  | Achike Udenwa
(b. 1948)
[50] | 29 May 1999

29 May 2007
[19] |  | PDP
[25][28] | 1999
2003
[28] | Ebere Udeagu
[51]
—  | Ikedi Ohakim
(b. 1957)
[52] | 29 May 2007

29 May 2011
[19] |  | PPA
[28] | 2007
[28] | Ada Okwuonu
[53][38]
| PDP
[28]
| Rochas Okorocha
(b. 1962)
[54] | 29 May 2011

29 May 2019
|  | APGA
[28] | 2011
[28][55] | Jude Agbaso
29 May 2011–28 March 2013[e]
[56]
| APC
[28] | 2015
[28][54] | Prince Madumere
29 March 2013–29 May 2019
[56][57]
| Emeka Ihedioha
(b. 1965)
[58] | 29 May 2019

15 January 2020
[29] |  | PDP
[25][28][29] | 2019
[28][29] | Gerald Irona
[59]
—  | Hope Uzodimma
(b. 1958)
[60] | 15 January 2020

Incumbent
[29] |  | APC
[28][29] | 2019
[28] | Placid Njoku
2020–2024
[61]
2023
[62] | Chinyere Ekomaru
2024–Incumbent
[61]

## Explanatory notes

[edit]

1. ^ Geopolitical zones are administrative groupings of Nigeria's states into six broad regions. Introduced during the military rule of Sani Abacha, the zones were designed to reflect regional cultural, economic, and political distinctions and have since served as frameworks for allocating resources, infrastructure, and representation across the country.[3]
2. ^ Nigeria's regional system of government was a decentralised political structure where the country was divided into autonomous regions—each with its own legislature, executive, and judiciary—allowing them to govern internal affairs and manage resources independently, while still operating under a central federal authority.[4]
3. ^ For elected governors, the date of inauguration is listed.
4. ^ Bernard Amalaha was originally Mbakwe's running mate but Amalaha was disqualified by the Supreme Court, and Mbakwe nominated Uzoigwe as new deputy.[38]
5. ^ Impeached

## See also

[edit]

* List of governors of Anambra State
* List of governors of Enugu State

## References

[edit]

### Citations

[edit]

1. ^ Akinpelu, Olusegun (17 December 2019). "From His Excellency to Mr Governor". This Day. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
2. ^ a b c d Article VI, Section II, Constitution of Nigeria, 1999
3. ^ Ojo, Jide (23 April 2025). "Nigeria's geopolitical zones as development centres". The Punch. ISSN 0331-2666. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
4. ^ Oluwadele, Boluwatife (27 November 2024). "Thoughts on the proposed regional government in Nigeria". Premium Times. ISSN 2360-7688. Archived from the original on 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
5. ^ a b Falola & Genova 2009, p. 103.
6. ^ Yusha'u, Muhammad Jameel (2018). Regional Parallelism and Corruption Scandals in Nigeria: Intranational Approaches to African Media Systems. Springer Publishing. p. 182\. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-96220-7. ISBN 978-3-319-96219-1.
7. ^ Garrison, Lloyd (29 July 1962). "Nigerian Inquiry Bares Corruption; Extent of Graft Surprises Nation – Many Involved". The New York Times. p. 12\. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
8. ^ Alabi 2005, pp. 1–2.
9. ^ Adogamhe 2012, p. 200.
10. ^ a b c Ota, Ecoma & Wambu 2020, p. 2.
11. ^ Adogamhe 2012, p. 200, "One motive was to preempt Colonel Ojukwu’s at-tempt to secede from the federation by giving minorities of the South-Eastern and Rivers Areas the right to manage their own affairs independently of the Igbo, who dominated the East Central State.".
12. ^ Falola & Genova 2009, p. 121.
13. ^ Falola & Genova 2009, p. 102.
14. ^ "Asika's Vision, Renascent Biafra and Igbos (1)". This Day. 17 September 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
15. ^ John, Darnton (21 February 1977). "7 Years After the Defeat of Biafra, Its People Make a Strong Recovery". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
16. ^ Murray 1971, p. 157.
17. ^ Anambra Broadcasting Corporation 1980, p. 7.
18. ^ Article 14, Section 1, 2, 5 (PDF), Constitution of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria, 1967
19. ^ a b c d Onyekakeyah, Luke (9 April 2019). "Imo: How it began and how far". The Guardian. ISSN 0189-5125. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
20. ^ a b c "Ndubuisi Kanu: Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu biography, life and times". BBC News Pidgin. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
21. ^ a b Imo State (Nigeria) Ministry of Information and Culture 1988, p. 58.
22. ^ a b Idachaba, Sunny (17 January 2025). "The Unforgotten Hero, Sam Mbakwe". Blueprint. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
23. ^ Okibedi 1991, pp. 16, 61.
24. ^ a b c d e f g Fejokwu & Adefolalu 1992, p. 639.
25. ^ a b c d e f Graça 2017, p. 646.
26. ^ a b Fejokwu 1995, p. 343.
27. ^ a b c Silas, Don (17 October 2021). "'Big loss to Imo' – Uzodinma reacts to Tanko Zubairu's death". Daily Post. ISSN 2449-1128. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
28. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Eludini, Tunde. "Analysis: Imo State's history of evolving political landscape and challenging elections". Premium Times. ISSN 2360-7688. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
29. ^ a b c d e f Onochie, Bridget Chiedu; Omolaoye, Sodiq (15 January 2020). "How Hope Uzodinma floored Ihedioha at Supreme Court". The Guardian. ISSN 0189-5125. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
30. ^ Imo State Ministry of Information and Culture 2001, p. 19.
31. ^ "Lagos: From Johnson to Sanwo-Olu". The Nation. 28 May 2019. ISSN 1595-3793. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
32. ^ Imo State Ministry of Information and Culture 2001, p. 21.
33. ^ Falola & Genova 2009, p. 225.
34. ^ Okibedi 1991, pp. 15–16, 61.
35. ^ a b Joseph 1981, p. 22.
36. ^ Hart 1993, p. 409.
37. ^ Nigeria ... official handbook. Federal Ministry of Information, Federal Republic of Nigeria. 1979. p. 35\. OCLC 13141194.
38. ^ a b c Osuji, Chuks (4 June 2019). "Madumere: He Who Laughs Last…". The Whistler. ISSN 2476-8499. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
39. ^ Ojewale, Banji (1 September 2020). "Ike Nwachukwu at 80: A bulging past with a long shadow". The Guardian. ISSN 0189-5125. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
40. ^ Oota, Linus (15 July 2024). "How Nasarawa court dissolved Diezani's marriage". The Nation. ISSN 1595-3793. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
41. ^ Osso 1990, p. 641.
42. ^ Ogu, Emma (15 November 2009). "Nigeria: Amadi Ikwechegh Dies, Imo Mourns". Daily Champion. ISSN 0331-7404. Retrieved 8 July 2025 - via AllAfrica.
43. ^ "A portrait of senator Evans Ewerem (7th senate president 1999-2000)". National Library of Nigeria. 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
44. ^ Votes and proceedings. Senate of Nigeria. 2007. p. 160\. OCLC 472671558.
45. ^ Imo State Ministry of Information and Culture 2001, p. 31.
46. ^ Teniola, Eric (11 August 2021). "The cross Babangida still carries at 80". Nigerian Tribune. Archived from the original on 17 August 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
47. ^ Fejokwu & Adefolalu 1992, p. 612.
48. ^ Njoku, Chris (15 June 2023). "Ex-Imo deputy governor for burial July 21". The Nation. ISSN 1595-3793. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
49. ^ Ojo, Sola (3 December 2021). "Former administrator of Imo Col. Zubairu laid to rest in Kaduna". The Sun. ISSN 0795-7475. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
50. ^ Omonijo, Mobolade (1999). Political Factbook & Who's who in Nigeria. Winngam Communications. p. 126\. ISBN 978-978-041-500-6.
51. ^ Ogugbuaja, Charles (11 October 2022). "Former Imo deputy gov dies at 79". The Guardian. ISSN 0189-5125. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
52. ^ Iwichukwu, Francis (25 March 2009). "Nigeria: Ikedi Ohakim in Victory Dance". Independent Nigeria. ISSN 1595-983X. Retrieved 9 July 2025 - via AllAfrica.
53. ^ Uhuegbu, Sampson (13 May 2025). "Opinion: Governor Uzodimma, Year 2027 And Who Becomes His Successor". The Will. ISSN 2756-5610. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
54. ^ a b "Rochas Okorocha: Politician, his many controversies and Imo burden". The Sun. 26 December 2021. ISSN 0795-7475. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
55. ^ Eribake, Akintayo (7 May 2011). "INEC declares Rochas Okorocha winner of Imo election". Vanguard. ISSN 0794-652X. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
56. ^ a b Aziken, Emmanuel (28 March 2013). "Agbaso impeached as Deputy Gov". Vanguard. ISSN 0794-652X. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
57. ^ Agbai, Gele. "Analysis: Imo Guber 2015: A three-horse Race between Okorocha, Ihedioha, Ihenacho". Premium Times. ISSN 2360-7688. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
58. ^ "Emeka Ihedioha resign from PDP". BBC News Pidgin. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
59. ^ Adedeji, Tunji (15 March 2023). "Imo PDP exposes alleged plot to kill detained former Deputy Governor, Irona". Daily Post. ISSN 2449-1128. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
60. ^ Equere, Onyinye Chime & Fiona (15 January 2020). "Hope Uzodinma: See important tins you need to know about di govnor of Imo state". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
61. ^ a b Ugwu, Chinagorom. "Imo 2023: Uzodinma dumps deputy, picks female lawyer as running mate". Premium Times. ISSN 2360-7688. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
62. ^ Okeoma, Chidiebube (12 November 2023). "INEC declares Uzodimma winner of Imo gov election". The Punch. ISSN 0331-2666. Retrieved 9 July 2025.

### Works cited

[edit]

* Imo State handbook. Imo State (Nigeria) Ministry of Information and Culture. 1988. OCLC 25695558.
* Okibedi, Alphonse Okechukwu (1991). Chief Sam O. Mbakwe : a great son of achievement and courage. New Order Publishers. OCLC 28447029.
* Fejokwu, Law C.; Adefolalu, A. A. (1992). Political Leadership Handbook and Who's who. Polcom Nigeria. ISBN 978-978-31594-0-2.
* Graça, J. Da (13 February 2017). Heads of State and Government. Springer. ISBN 978-1-349-65771-1. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
* Fejokwu, Law C. (1995). Nigeria, the Military & Political Leadership: A Compendium on the Socio-economic & Development Dynamics. Polcom Press. OCLC 35643343.
* Imo at 25. Imo State Ministry of Information and Culture. 2001. p. 19\. OCLC 123503606.
* Joseph, Richard A. (1981). "The Ethnic Trap: Notes on the Nigerian Campaign and Elections, 1978-79". Issue: A Journal of Opinion. 11 (1/2). Cambridge University Press: 17–23\. doi:10.2307/1166229. ISSN 0047-1607. JSTOR 1166229. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
* Hart, Christopher (1993). "The Nigerian elections of 1983". Africa. 63 (3): 397–418\. doi:10.2307/1161428. ISSN 1750-0184. JSTOR 1161428.
* Osso, Nyaknno (1990). Who's who in Nigeria. Newswatch. ISBN 978-978-2704-12-2.
* Falola, Toyin; Genova, Ann (2009). Historical Dictionary of Nigeria. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-5615-8.
* Murray, David J. (1971). "The Federation of Nigeria". Current History. 60 (355). University of California Press: 157–180\. doi:10.1525/curh.1971.60.355.157. ISSN 0011-3530. JSTOR 45312461. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
* Alabi, Mojeed Olujinmi A. (2005). "Emergency Powers in Nigeria: Legal and Constitutional Issues". The Constitution. 5 (4): 1–22\. hdl:10520/AJA15955753_142.
* Adogamhe, Paul G. (1 February 2012). "Politics of State Creation and Ethnic Relations in Nigeria: The Case of Former Bendel State". Emancipating Cultural Pluralism. SUNY Press. doi:10.1515/9780791487495-012. ISBN 978-0-7914-8749-5. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
* Ota, Ejitu N.; Ecoma, Chinyere S.; Wambu, Chiemela Godwin (2020). "Creation of States in Nigeria, 1967–1996: Deconstructing the history and Politics". American Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. 6 (1). doi:10.21694/2378-7031.20005. ISSN 2378-7031.
* Anambra Broadcasting Corporation (1980). Anambra State legislators. A.B.C. Books. OCLC 10950081.

* v
* t
* e

Governors of Imo State

* Ndubuisi Kanu
* Adekunle Lawal
* Sunday Ajibade Adenihun
* Sam Mbakwe
* Ike Nwachukwu
* Allison Madueke
* Amadi Ikwechegh
* Anthony E. Oguguo
* Evan Enwerem
* James N.J. Aneke
* Tanko Zubairu
* Achike Udenwa
* Ikedi Ohakim
* Rochas Okorocha
* Emeka Ihedioha
* Hope Uzodinma

*[D. Governor]: Deputy Governor
*[b.]: born
*[d.]: died
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template