Anthony Onyearugbulem

Anthony Ibe Onyearugbulem (1955–2002) was a Nigerian 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.[1]

Anthony Ibe Onyearugbulem
Military Administrator of Ondo State
In office
22 August 1996 – 7 August 1998
Preceded byAhmed Usman
Succeeded byMoses Fasanya
Military Administrator of Edo State
In office
7 August 1998 – 29 May 1999
Preceded byBaba Adamu Iyam
Succeeded byLucky Igbinedion
Personal details
Born9 July 1955
Ikeduru, Imo State, Nigeria
Died26 July 2002(2002-07-26) (aged 47)
Military service
Allegiance Nigeria
Branch/service Nigerian Navy
RankNavy Captain

Background

Anthony Ibe Onyearugbulem was born on 9 July 1955 in Owalla Avuvu in Ikeduru, 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.[2]

Military Administrator

Onyearugbulem served as Military Administrator of Ondo State from August 1996 to August 1998.[1] 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.[3] His administration undertook extensive roadworks in Ondo State and this is the legacy he is commonly remembered for.[4]

He was promoted Navy Captain in July 1998 and was posted to Edo State on August 7, 1998, as the Military Administrator.[2] 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.[5] 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.[6]

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.[2] 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.[7] Later that year, Onyearugbulem died suddenly in a hotel room in Kaduna in somewhat mysterious circumstances.[8]

References
  1. "Nigeria States". WorldStatesmen. Archived from the original on 23 December 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-28.
  2. CHARLES OGUGBUAJA AND SAXONE AKHAINE (July 28, 2002). "Onyearugbulem: Shock, Disbelief Greet Death". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-12-28.
  3. Funso Muraina (2001-04-20). "Adefarati: Not Yet Dancing Time". ThisDay. Archived from the original on 2005-09-12. Retrieved 2009-12-28.
  4. Funso Muraina (2003-05-10). "'I Deserve a Medal from Adefarati'". ThisDay. Archived from the original on 2010-08-25. Retrieved 2009-12-28.
  5. Dele Edobor (April 12, 2004). "EREDIAUWA: A QUINTESSENTIAL ROYAL FATHER". NigeriaWorld. Retrieved 2009-12-28.
  6. "Transition or Travesty: Nigeria's Endless Process of Return to Civilian Rule". Human Rights Watch. 1 October 1997. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 2009-12-28.
  7. Chuka Oditta (2002-07-16). "Imo Guber Race Takes New Shape". ThisDay. Archived from the original on 2005-08-25. Retrieved 2009-12-28.
  8. Dennis Okenwa (2003-02-22). "Imo ANPP and Bloodshed". Archived from the original on 2005-01-12. Retrieved 2009-12-28.


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