The incumbent governor, Aiyedatiwa, won a resounding victory in all 18 of the state’s local government districts, securing his first full term.

After his mentor, Rotimi Akeredolu, under whom he had been deputy governor, passed away in 2023, Aiyedatiwa became the substantive governor.

His election victory solidifies his status as one of the distinguished deputy governors to become governor.

The Tribune examines some noteworthy deputy governors who became governors of Nigeria in more detail below:

Goodluck Jonathan (Bayelsa State)

Goodluck Jonathan transitioned from deputy governor to governor of Bayelsa State in December 2005 after the impeachment of Diepreye Alamieyeseigha on corruption charges. Jonathan later became Nigeria’s Vice President and eventually President.

Patrick Yakowa (Kaduna State)

Patrick Yakowa became Kaduna State governor on May 20, 2010, after Namadi Sambo was elevated to Vice President. Yakowa was the first Christian to serve as governor of the state.

Virginia Etiaba (Anambra State)

Virginia Etiaba made history in November 2006 as Nigeria’s first female governor after Peter Obi’s impeachment. Her tenure was brief, as Obi’s impeachment was overturned three months later.

Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo State)

Alao-Akala assumed the governorship in January 2006 following the impeachment of Rashidi Ladoja. Although Ladoja was reinstated later that year, Alao-Akala won the 2007 gubernatorial election.

Bala James Ngilari (Adamawa State)

In October 2014, Ngilari became governor of Adamawa State after the impeachment of Murtala Nyako. He served until the end of the term in May 2015.

Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe State)

Gaidam assumed office in January 2009 following the death of Governor Mamman Ali. He later won consecutive elections in 2011 and 2015.

Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano State)

Ganduje succeeded Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as Kano State governor in 2015, having served as his deputy twice, from 1999-2003 and 2011-2015. He was re-elected in 2019.

Umar Namadi (Jigawa State)

Namadi transitioned from deputy governor to governor of Jigawa State in 2023, succeeding Badaru Abubakar after contesting on the APC platform.

David Umahi (Ebonyi State)

Umahi served as Ebonyi State deputy governor before his election as governor in 2015 under the PDP platform.

Mahmud Shinkafi (Zamfara State)

Shinkafi succeeded his principal, Yerima Sani, in 2007 after eight years as deputy governor. However, his defection to the PDP in 2008 cost him re-election in 2011.

Mukhtar Yero (Kaduna State)

Yero became Kaduna State governor in 2012 following the death of Patrick Yakowa. He served until 2015.

Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo State)

Aiyedatiwa assumed office as governor of Ondo State in 2023 after the death of Rotimi Akeredolu. His historic victory in the 2024 election, defeating PDP’s Agboola Ajayi and 15 other candidates, marks a new chapter in his political career.