Past Governors of Cross River State

Cross River State has witnessed evolution of leadership from military to civilian rule, with each governor contributing to the State’s developmental journey.

Since its creation in 1967, the State has undergone transitions in leadership, policies, and governance, reflecting the State’s diverse cultural and economic landscape.

Throughout its history, the State’s Governors have navigated challenges and seized opportunities, be it promoting tourism in the city of Calabar or addressing crucial economic and infrastructural issues.

Their leadership has been instrumental in shaping the State’s progress and positively impacting the lives of its citizens.

Here is a look at some of the past governors who have played key roles in Cross River State’s history

Military Regime (1967 – 1979)

UDOKAHA JACOB ESUENE

1ST MILITARY GOVERNOR (1967-1975)

Udoakaha J. Esuene was the pioneer military governor of Cross River State, serving from 1967 to 1975. He played a crucial role in establishing the foundation for the State’s administrative structure and development.

PAUL UFUOMA OMU

2ND MILITARY GOVERNOR (1975-1978)

After Esuene’s tenure, Paul Omu assumed office as the military governor from 1975 to 1978. His administration focused on addressing socio-economic challenges and advancing development projects in the State.

MUFTAU BABATUNDE ELEGBEDE

3RD MILITARY GOVERNOR (1978-1979)

Tunde Elegbede was the last military governor during this period, serving from 1978 to 1979. His leadership marked the transition from the military regime to the second republic as Nigeria returned to civilian rule.

Second Republic (1979-1983)

CLEMENT NYONG ISONG

1ST CIVILIAN GOVERNOR (1979-1983)

With the restoration of civilian rule in 1979, the people of Cross River State experienced a new era of governance under an elected civilian governor. During the Second Republic, Clement Isong was elected as the Governor of Cross River State and served from 1979 to 1983. His administration focused on economic diversification, infrastructure development, and social welfare programs

Military regime (1983 – 1992)

CHIEF DONALD ETIEBET

4TH MILITARY GOVERNOR (1983-1984)

Donald Etiebet served as the military administrator of Cross River State from 1984 to 1986. His administration aimed to maintain stability and oversee the State’s affairs during the military regime

BRIGADIER GENERAL DAN ARCHIBONG

5TH MILITARY GOVERNOR (1984-1986)

Dan Archibong served as the military administrator of Cross River State from 1984 to 1986, continuing to govern the State under military rule.

CAPTAIN EBEN IBIM PRINCEWILL

6TH MILITARY GOVERNOR (1986-1989)

Eben Ibim was the military governor, serving from 1986 to 1989, continuing the management of the State affairs under military rule.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL ERNEST ATTAH

7TH MILITARY GOVERNOR (1989-1992)

Ernest Attah was the last military governor during this period, serving from 1989 to 1992. His leadership marked the transition from the military regime to the second republic as Nigeria returned to civilian rule

Third Republic (1992-1993)

CLEMENT DAVID EBRI

2ND CIVILIAN GOVERNOR (1992-1993)

With the restoration of civilian rule in 1992, the people of Cross River State experienced a new era of Governance under an elected civilian governor. Clement David Ebri was elected on the NRC platform as Governor of Cross River State, Nigeria between January 1992 and November 17, 1993 during the Nigerian Third Republic, leaving office after the military coup that brought General Sani Abacha to power

Military regime (1993 – 1999)

AIR COMMODORE IBRAHIM KEFAS

8TH MILITARY GOVERNOR (1993-1994)

Ibrahim Kefas served as the military administrator of Cross River State from 1993 to 1994, overseeing various aspects of governance and administration within the State.

AIR VICE MARSHAL GREGORY AGBONENI

9TH MILITARY GOVERNOR (1994-1996)

Gregory Agboneni served as the military administrator of Cross River State from 1994-1996, continuing to govern the State under military rule.

COLONEL UMAR FAROUK AHMED

10TH MILITARY GOVERNOR (1996-1998)

Umar Farouk Ahmed served as the military administrator of Cross River State from 1996-1998.

NAVY CAPTAIN CHRISTOPHER OSONDU

11TH MILITARY GOVERNOR (1998-1999)

Christopher Osondu served as the military administrator of Cross River State from 1998-1999. His administration marked the end of military rule

Fourth Republic (1999 – 2023)

DONALD ETIM DUKE

1ST DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR (1999-2007)

In the first democratic elections after the military era, Donald Duke emerged as the Governor of Cross River State and served two consecutive terms from 1999 to 2007. His tenure is remembered for transformative initiatives, including the Tinapa Resort, the Calabar Carnival, the Obudu International Mountain Race, and other landmark projects that enhanced the State’s tourism and economic development. During his tenure, Calabar earned recognition as one of the greenest and cleanest cities, leaving a lasting impact on the environmental landscape of Cross River State.

LIYEL IMOKE

2ND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR (2007-2015)

After the successful administration of Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke assumed office as the Governor of Cross River State and served from 2007 to 2015. Throughout his tenure, Imoke prioritized improving education, healthcare, and infrastructure, aiming to improve the lives of the citizens. He also focused on positioning Cross River State as a hub for business and tourism, attracting investments and visitors to the State. Imoke’s commitment to development and progress left a lasting impact on the State’s growth and prosperity.

BENEDICT BENGIUOSHUYE AYADE

3RD DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR (2015-2023)

After the administration of Liyel Imoke, Benedict Ayade was elected Governor of Cross River State and served from 2015 to 2023. As Governor, he prioritized developmental projects, industrialization, and social welfare programs to improve the lives of the people. Governor Ayade gained attention for his creative and interesting budget names. Some of the interesting budget names during his tenure include: Budget of Kinetic Crystallization, Budget of Infinite Transposition, Budget of Qabalistic Densification, Budget of Olimpotic Meristemasis, Budget of Conjugated Agglutination. These budget names garnered media attention and reflected Governor Ayade’s unconventional approach to governance and his aspiration to promoting visionary and transformative development in Cross River State.