Thursday, July 22, 2010
NIGERIA LEADERSHIP Since Independence - Military Governors of Regions (1965 - 1967)
EASTERN REGION
PERIOD - 19 January 1966 - 27 May 1967
GOVERNOR - Lt. Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu
MID-WESTERN REGION
PERIOD - 19 January 1966 - August 1967
GOVERNOR - Lt. Colonel David Ejoor
REMARK - Continued as governor of Mid-Western State
WESTERN REGION
PERIOD - 19 January 1966 - 29 July 1966 (1)
GOVERNOR - Lt. Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi
REMARK - Died during counter-coup of July 1966
PERIOD - 4 August 1966 - 27 May 1967 (2)
GOVERNOR - Lt. Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo
NORTHERN REGION
PERIOD - 19 January 1966 - 27 May 1967
GOVERNOR - Lt. Colonel Hassan Usman Katsina
NIGERIA LEADERSHIP Since Independence - Governors and Premiers of Regions in the First Republic
EASTERN REGION
PERIOD - Oct 1960 - Jan 1966
GOVERNOR - Sir Francis Akanu Ibiam
PREMIER - Michael Okpara
MID-WESTERN REGION
PERIOD - Aug 1963 - Feb 1964 (1)
GOVERNOR - Dennis Osadebay
PREMIER - Dennis Osadebay
REMARK - Region created from part of Western Region on 8 August 1963
PERIOD - Feb 1964 - Jan 1964 (2)
GOVERNOR - Jereton Mariere
PREMIER - Dennis Osadebay
WESTERN REGION
PERIOD - Oct 1960 - May 1962 (1)
GOVERNOR - Adesoji Aderemi
PREMIER - Samuel Akintola
PERIOD - May 1962 - Dec 1962 (2)
GOVERNOR - Adesoji Aderemi
PREMIER - Moses Majekodunmi (Administrator)
REMARK - Administrator appointed during political crisis
PERIOD - Jan 1963 - Jan 1966 (3)
GOVERNOR - Joseph Fadahunsi
PREMIER - Samuel Akintola
NORTHERN REGION
PERIOD - Oct 1960 – 1962 (1)
GOVERNOR - Sir Gawain Westray Bell
PREMIER - Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello
PERIOD - 1962 - Jan 1966 (2)
GOVERNOR - Alhaji Sir Kashim Ibrahim
PREMIER - Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello
Nigeria Regions before Independence
Northern Region
The Northern Region was one of Nigeria's federal divisions. It was created before independence in 1960, with its capital at Kaduna. In 1962 it acquired the territory of the British Northern Cameroons, who had voted to become part of Nigeria. In 1967 the region was split into states - Benue-Plateau State, Kano State, Kwara State, North-Central State, North-Eastern State and North-Western State. These would later be renamed and split up themselves. The North Central State's capital was Kaduna, and after further loss of territory is now known as Kaduna State.
Western Region
The Western Region was a subdivision of the federation of Nigeria until 1967. Its capital was at Ibadan. It was established in the 1930s under British rule as a subdivision of the Southern Nigeria colony. Upon independence of Nigeria in 1960, it became one of the members of the federation, along with the Eastern Region and the Northern Region. In 1963, two provinces Benin and Delta were split from the region to form the new Mid-Western Region. In 1967 the regions were abolished and the area was subdivided into Lagos and Western states, which would also later be subdivided
Eastern Region
The Eastern Region was one of Nigeria's federal divisions, dating back originally from the division of the colony Southern Nigeria in 1954. Its capital was Enugu. The region was official divided in 1967 into three new states, East-Central State, Rivers State and South-Eastern State. East-Central State had its capital at Enugu, which is now part of Enugu State. The region was what later became Biafra, which was in rebellion from 1967 to 1970.
Origin of Electoral Commissions in Nigeria
The origin of Electoral bodies in Nigeria can be traced to the period before Independence when the Electoral Commission of Nigeria (ECN) was established to conduct 1959 elections. The Federal Electoral Commission (FEC), established in 1960 conducted the immediate post-independence federal and regional elections of 1964 and 1965 respectively.
The electoral body was however, dissolved after the military coup of 1966. In 1978, a new Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) was constituted by the regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo. FEDECO organized the elections of 1979, which ushered in the Second Republic under the leadership of Alhaji Shehu Shagari. It also conducted the general elections of 1983.
In December 1995, the military government of General Sani Abacha, which earlier dissolved the National Electoral Commission NEC in 1993, established the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON), which also conducted another set of elections; Local Government councils to National Assembly. These elected institutions were however not inaugurated before the sudden death of General Abacha, on June 1998 aborted the process. In 1998 General Abdulsalam Abubakar’s Administration dissolved NECON and established the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The body organized all transitional elections that ushered in the 4th republic on May 29 1999. It has today repositioned itself to deliver credible elections that would sustain Nigeria’s nascent democracy.
As a permanent body, INEC comprises the workforce recruited since 1997 under the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC). Its presence has been established in all the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory as well as in the 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria.
The electoral body was however, dissolved after the military coup of 1966. In 1978, a new Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) was constituted by the regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo. FEDECO organized the elections of 1979, which ushered in the Second Republic under the leadership of Alhaji Shehu Shagari. It also conducted the general elections of 1983.
In December 1995, the military government of General Sani Abacha, which earlier dissolved the National Electoral Commission NEC in 1993, established the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON), which also conducted another set of elections; Local Government councils to National Assembly. These elected institutions were however not inaugurated before the sudden death of General Abacha, on June 1998 aborted the process. In 1998 General Abdulsalam Abubakar’s Administration dissolved NECON and established the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The body organized all transitional elections that ushered in the 4th republic on May 29 1999. It has today repositioned itself to deliver credible elections that would sustain Nigeria’s nascent democracy.
As a permanent body, INEC comprises the workforce recruited since 1997 under the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC). Its presence has been established in all the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory as well as in the 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria.
NIGERIA LEADERSHIP Since Independence - Electoral Commission Chairmen till Date
Eyo Esua (1960-1966)
Eyo Ita Esua from Cross River State (South-south), led the first indigenous electoral body in the country. Esua's commission organized the first post-independence federal and regional elections of 1964 and 1965. But the December 1964 election was marred by controversy and confusion which led to a military coup in 1966. The commission was dissolved thereafter.
Michael Ani (1976-1979)
Chief Michael Ani also from Cross River State was appointed in 1976 by the General Olusegun Obasanjo regime as the chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO). Ani's commission conducted the election which ushered in the Second Republic government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari. on October 1, 1979. However, the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), led by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, rejected the outcome of the election and challenged Shagari's election in court but lost.
Victor Ovie-Whiskey (1983)
Justice Victor Ovie-Whiskey from Delta State (South-south) was appointed by the Shehu Shagari administration in 1983 as chairman of FEDECO. He was seen as upright and non-partisan. At the time of his appointment, he was the Chief Judge of the old Bendel State. The general elections of 1983 which he conducted were however marred by widespread irregularities. Under him, electoral officials were accused of rigging in favour of the then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
Eme Awa (1987-1989)
Prof. Eme Awa, from Abia State (South-east) served as Chairman between 1987 and 1989. He was a professor of Political Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He resigned his appointment around 1989 over alleged disagreement with former military President Ibrahim Babangida who appointed him.
Humphrey Nwosu (1989-1993)
Professor Humphrey Nwosu from Anambra State (South-east) took over from Awa, his former teacher, and served till 1993. He conducted the June 12 election seen as the freest and fairest election and presumed to have been won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola. It was Nwosu's commission that introduced the novel voting system of Option A4 and Open Ballot System.
Prof. Okon Uya (1993-1994)
A professor history, Uya was appointed by former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, to conduct a new presidential poll after the annulment of the June 12 election. The defunct NRC and SDP were asked to present new candidates for the new presidential poll. But the crisis that greeted the annulment did not allow Uya room to conduct the election, indeed any election at all before he was removed.
Sumner Dagogo-Jack (1994-1998)
The late General Sani Abacha appointed Chief Sumner Dagogo-Jack from Rivers State (South-south) as the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON). He served between 1994 and 1998 and conducted elections for the local government councils and the National Assembly. The elected officers were, however, never inaugurated before the sudden death of Abacha in 1998.
Ephraim Akpata (1998-1999)
Justice Ephraim Akpata from Edo State (South-south) was appointed by General Abdulsalami Abubakar's administration in 1998. He registered new political parties in 1999 and conducted the election that ushered in the Obasanjo's government in 1999.
Abel Guobadia (2000-2005)
After Akpata died in January 2000, President Obasanjo appointed Sir Abel Guobadia from Edo State (South-south) as the chairman of the commission. He conducted the election in which Obasanjo secured a second term in office in 2003. The election was also widely condemned by the opposition. In June 2005, Guobadia's tenure expired.
Maurice Iwu (2005-2010)
Professor Maurice Iwu from Imo State (South-east) who succeeded Guobadia in 2005 was perhaps the most controversial of all the nation's umpires. He conducted the 2007 general election characterised by wide spread irregularities. Even the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua admitted that the election that made him president in 2007 was flawed. However, the Anambra governorship election last February redeemed the commission's image a little bit. The election was widely regarded as free and fair except for administrative hitches. But Iwu had already lost goodwill and his appointment was not renewed.
Attahiru Jega (2010 - date)
Professor Attahiru Jega was the former Vice Chancellor of the Ado Bayero University in Kano, north-west Nigeria and a political scientist. He was a renowned labour leader, precisely the former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and incidentally was an executive member of the union alongside his predecessor, Iwu, who then was the Publicity Secretary. He drew a long praise and accolades from the public then during his principled and courageous stand on issues bordering the deplorable state of the university education in Nigeria under the government of the Ibrahim Babangida.
Eyo Ita Esua from Cross River State (South-south), led the first indigenous electoral body in the country. Esua's commission organized the first post-independence federal and regional elections of 1964 and 1965. But the December 1964 election was marred by controversy and confusion which led to a military coup in 1966. The commission was dissolved thereafter.
Michael Ani (1976-1979)
Chief Michael Ani also from Cross River State was appointed in 1976 by the General Olusegun Obasanjo regime as the chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO). Ani's commission conducted the election which ushered in the Second Republic government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari. on October 1, 1979. However, the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), led by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, rejected the outcome of the election and challenged Shagari's election in court but lost.
Victor Ovie-Whiskey (1983)
Justice Victor Ovie-Whiskey from Delta State (South-south) was appointed by the Shehu Shagari administration in 1983 as chairman of FEDECO. He was seen as upright and non-partisan. At the time of his appointment, he was the Chief Judge of the old Bendel State. The general elections of 1983 which he conducted were however marred by widespread irregularities. Under him, electoral officials were accused of rigging in favour of the then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
Eme Awa (1987-1989)
Prof. Eme Awa, from Abia State (South-east) served as Chairman between 1987 and 1989. He was a professor of Political Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He resigned his appointment around 1989 over alleged disagreement with former military President Ibrahim Babangida who appointed him.
Humphrey Nwosu (1989-1993)
Professor Humphrey Nwosu from Anambra State (South-east) took over from Awa, his former teacher, and served till 1993. He conducted the June 12 election seen as the freest and fairest election and presumed to have been won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola. It was Nwosu's commission that introduced the novel voting system of Option A4 and Open Ballot System.
Prof. Okon Uya (1993-1994)
A professor history, Uya was appointed by former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, to conduct a new presidential poll after the annulment of the June 12 election. The defunct NRC and SDP were asked to present new candidates for the new presidential poll. But the crisis that greeted the annulment did not allow Uya room to conduct the election, indeed any election at all before he was removed.
Sumner Dagogo-Jack (1994-1998)
The late General Sani Abacha appointed Chief Sumner Dagogo-Jack from Rivers State (South-south) as the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON). He served between 1994 and 1998 and conducted elections for the local government councils and the National Assembly. The elected officers were, however, never inaugurated before the sudden death of Abacha in 1998.
Ephraim Akpata (1998-1999)
Justice Ephraim Akpata from Edo State (South-south) was appointed by General Abdulsalami Abubakar's administration in 1998. He registered new political parties in 1999 and conducted the election that ushered in the Obasanjo's government in 1999.
Abel Guobadia (2000-2005)
After Akpata died in January 2000, President Obasanjo appointed Sir Abel Guobadia from Edo State (South-south) as the chairman of the commission. He conducted the election in which Obasanjo secured a second term in office in 2003. The election was also widely condemned by the opposition. In June 2005, Guobadia's tenure expired.
Maurice Iwu (2005-2010)
Professor Maurice Iwu from Imo State (South-east) who succeeded Guobadia in 2005 was perhaps the most controversial of all the nation's umpires. He conducted the 2007 general election characterised by wide spread irregularities. Even the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua admitted that the election that made him president in 2007 was flawed. However, the Anambra governorship election last February redeemed the commission's image a little bit. The election was widely regarded as free and fair except for administrative hitches. But Iwu had already lost goodwill and his appointment was not renewed.
Attahiru Jega (2010 - date)
Professor Attahiru Jega was the former Vice Chancellor of the Ado Bayero University in Kano, north-west Nigeria and a political scientist. He was a renowned labour leader, precisely the former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and incidentally was an executive member of the union alongside his predecessor, Iwu, who then was the Publicity Secretary. He drew a long praise and accolades from the public then during his principled and courageous stand on issues bordering the deplorable state of the university education in Nigeria under the government of the Ibrahim Babangida.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
NIGERIA LEADERSHIP Since Independence - Speakers of the Federal House of Representatives
Jaja Wachuku 1959–1960 NCNC Edwin Ume-Ezeoke 1979–1983 NPN Salisu Buhari 1999–2000 PDP Ghali Umar Na'Abba 2000–2003 PDP Aminu Bello Masari 2003–2007 PDP Patricia Etteh 2007–2007 PDP Dimeji Bankole 2007 – present PDP
NIGERIA LEADERSHIP Since Independence - Presidents of the Nigerian Senate
Nnamdi Azikiwe(1960 – 1960) • Nwafor Orizu (November 1960 – January 1966)• Joseph Wayas (1979–1983) • Iyorchia Ayu (1992–1993) • Ameh Ebute • Evan Enwerem (June 3, 1999 – November 18, 1999) • Chuba Okadigbo (November 18,1999 – August 8, 2000) • Anyim Pius Anyim (August 2000 – May 2003) • Adolphus Wabara (2003 to 2005.) • Ken Nnamani (April 2005 – May 2007) • David Mark (June 6, 2007 – date)
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