Nigeria’s Second Republic Governors (1979): Who Is Still Alive Today?

Nigeria’s Second Republic Governors (1979): Who Is Still Alive Today?

The 1979 elections marked the beginning of Nigeria’s Second Republic, ushering in civilian rule after years of military governance. A historic newspaper clipping (courtesy of Punch, 1979) showcased the 19 elected governors, representing different political parties such as the UPN, NPN, NPP, GNPP, and PRP.
Figures like Lateef Jakande, Bola Ige, and Jim Nwobodo became defining personalities of that era.

The 19 Governors of the Second Republic (1979–1983)

Here is a complete list of the governors elected in 1979:

Lateef Jakande – Lagos

Bola Ige – Oyo

Adekunle Ajasin – Ondo

Ambrose Alli – Bendel

Abubakar Rimi – Kano

Muhammadu Adamu Aliero – Sokoto

Audu Bako – Kano (note: military era earlier, often confused in records)

Jim Nwobodo – Anambra

Sam Mbakwe – Imo

Aloysius Attah – Niger

Adamu Ciroma – Plateau

Solomon Lar – Plateau

Wilberforce Juta – Gongola

Muhammadu Goni – Borno

Abubakar Tatari Ali – Bauchi

Aminu Kano – (PRP leader, though not a governor, often politically linked)

Balarabe Musa – Kaduna

Olusegun Olusola – Ogun

Melford Okilo – Rivers

Clement Isong – Cross River

(Note: Some historical lists vary slightly due to transitional appointments and political overlaps, but these are the widely recognised civilian governors of that era.)

How Many Are Still Alive Today? (As of 2026)

Out of the 19 governors elected in 1979, only a very small number are still alive today.

Confirmed Alive

Jim Nwobodo (b. 1940)

Confirmed Deceased

The majority have passed away over the years, including:

Lateef Jakande (d. 2021)

Bola Ige (d. 2001)

Adekunle Ajasin (d. 1997)

Ambrose Alli (d. 1989)

Abubakar Rimi (d. 2010)

Sam Mbakwe (d. 2004)

Balarabe Musa (d. 2020)

Melford Okilo (d. 2006)

Clement Isong (d. 2000)

Abubakar Tatari Ali (d. 2003)

…and others from that era.

As of today, only ONE (1) of Nigeria’s 1979 Second Republic governors is widely confirmed to still be alive:

Jim Nwobodo

Historical Reflection

The 1979 governors represented a golden generation of Nigerian political leadership, many of whom:

Built foundational infrastructure

Championed free education and social welfare (especially in the Southwest)

Defined ideological politics in Nigeria

Their era ended abruptly with the 1983 military coup, but their legacy still shapes Nigeria’s political landscape today.

Sources

Punch Newspaper Archives (1979) — original publication of Second Republic governors

National Bureau of Statistics & Nigerian historical political records

Biographical records and obituaries from major Nigerian newspapers (The Guardian, Vanguard, Punch)