Anthony Onyearugbulem
Encyclopedia
Anthony Ibe Onyearugbulem (1955–2002) was a Nigeria
n navy captain who served as Military Administrator of Ondo State
(August 1996 - August 1998) during the military regime of General Sani Abacha
. He then became Military Administrator of Edo State
in August 1998, handing over power to the civilian governor Lucky Igbinedion
in May 1999.
, Imo State
. He was educated at St. Columbia's Secondary School, Amaimo
(1970–1972) and Enyiogugu High School, Mbaise
(1972–1974). He joined the navy and was commissioned on July 1, 1978.
As Administrator of Ondo state, he caused resentment among the Auga people by presenting the staff of office to the Alani of Idoani
, a person said by some to have no royal blood.
His administration undertook extensive roadworks in Ondo State and this is the legacy he is commonly remembered for.
He was promoted Navy Captain in July 1998 and was posted to Edo State on August 7, 1998 as the Military Administrator.
He tried to make chairmanship of the council of Obas in Edo State a rotational position, an affront to the king of the ancient Benin Kingdom.
In an attempt to increase voters' registration before the scheduled transition to democracy, Onyearugbulem warned that parents and guardians would have to produce their registration cards for their children to be admitted to state schools.
In 2002, Onyearugbulem left the People's Democratic Party
(PDP) and declared his intention to run in 2003 for governor of Imo State
on the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) platform.
Later that year, Onyearugbulem died suddenly in a hotel room in Kaduna in somewhat mysterious circumstances.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n navy captain who served as Military Administrator of Ondo State
Ondo State
Ondo State, Nigeria was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State. It originally included what is now Ekiti State, which was split off in 1996. Akure is the state capital.-Government and society:...
(August 1996 - August 1998) during the military regime of General Sani Abacha
Sani Abacha
General Sani Abacha was a Nigerian military leader and politician. A Kanuri from Borno by tribe, he was born and brought up in Kano, Nigeria. He was the de facto President of Nigeria from 1993 to 1998....
. He then became Military Administrator of Edo State
Edo State
Edo State is an inland state in central southern Nigeria. Its capital is Benin City. It is bounded in the north and east by Kogi State, in the south by Delta State and in the west by Ondo State.-History:...
in August 1998, handing over power to the civilian governor Lucky Igbinedion
Lucky Igbinedion
Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion was the governor of Edo State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. He is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party .-Background:Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion was born on 13 May 1957....
in May 1999.
Background
Anthony Ibe Onyearugbulem was born on 9 July 1955 in Owalla Avuvu in IkeduruIkeduru
Ikeduru Local Government Area is located in the western part of Imo State, one of the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It was previously carved out of the Mbaitolu/Ikeduru LGA. It has its head quarter at Iho...
, Imo State
Imo State
Imo State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria and lies to the south of Nigeria with Owerri as its capital and largest city.-History:Imo State came into existence in 1976 along with other new states created under the leadership of the late military ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammad, having been...
. He was educated at St. Columbia's Secondary School, Amaimo
Amaimo
Amaimo is Aa town in Imo State, southeastern Nigeria. It is located near the city of Owerri....
(1970–1972) and Enyiogugu High School, Mbaise
Mbaise
Mbaise is a region and a people located in Imo State, southeastern Nigeria. Set in the heart of Igboland, it includes several towns and cities. The name "Mbaise" was derived from five cities: Agbaaja, Ahiara, Ekwereazu, Ezi na Ihite and Oke Uvuru...
(1972–1974). He joined the navy and was commissioned on July 1, 1978.
Military Administrator
Anthony Onyearugbulem served as Military Administrator of Ondo State from August 1996 to August 1998.As Administrator of Ondo state, he caused resentment among the Auga people by presenting the staff of office to the Alani of Idoani
Idoani Confederacy
The Idoani Confederacy is a traditional state based in the town of Idoani in the Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. The origins of the state date back at least to 15th century, when the Oba Ozolua "the Conqueror" The Idoani Confederacy is a traditional state based in the town of...
, a person said by some to have no royal blood.
His administration undertook extensive roadworks in Ondo State and this is the legacy he is commonly remembered for.
He was promoted Navy Captain in July 1998 and was posted to Edo State on August 7, 1998 as the Military Administrator.
He tried to make chairmanship of the council of Obas in Edo State a rotational position, an affront to the king of the ancient Benin Kingdom.
In an attempt to increase voters' registration before the scheduled transition to democracy, Onyearugbulem warned that parents and guardians would have to produce their registration cards for their children to be admitted to state schools.
Later career
He was made to retire in 1999 shortly after the advent of civilian rule, along with others who had held political appointments in the military government.In 2002, Onyearugbulem left the People's Democratic Party
People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)
The People's Democratic Party is a political party in Nigeria. Its policies generally lie towards the right wing of the political spectrum. It has won every single Presidential elections since 1999, namely: 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011, and is the dominant party in the Fourth Republic.-History:In...
(PDP) and declared his intention to run in 2003 for governor of Imo State
Imo State
Imo State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria and lies to the south of Nigeria with Owerri as its capital and largest city.-History:Imo State came into existence in 1976 along with other new states created under the leadership of the late military ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammad, having been...
on the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) platform.
Later that year, Onyearugbulem died suddenly in a hotel room in Kaduna in somewhat mysterious circumstances.