Profile
Rt. Hon Chief Sir Emeka Ihedioha is a Nigerian politician, who was the Governor of Imo State between 2019 and 2020, under the banner of the People’s Democratic Party. He was removed as the Governor of Imo State when the Supreme Court declared Hope Uzodinma as the rightful winner of the 2019 gubernatorial elections. Ihedioha has also served as a Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives. He is a businessman and a well-renowned philanthropist.
Personal Life
Born on 24th March 1965 in Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State. He is married to Lady Ebere Ihedioha and they have four children (3 sons and a daughter). Ihedioha is an avid supporter of the Arsenal Premier League football club; he enjoys travelling and table tennis. His business interests span real estate development, industrialised farming, hospitality, power and petroleum sectors.
Education
| School | Qualification | Year |
| Stanford University, California, USA | Executive Certificate in Financial Management | |
| University of Lagos,Yaba, Lagos State | B.Sc Food Science and Technology | 1988 |
| St. Ephraim’s Secondary School, Owerrinta, Abia State | West African Senior Secondary Certificate | |
| Town School, Mbutu, Imo State;
SDA Primary School, Abuke Oja, Yaba, Lagos State |
First School Leaving Certificate | 1976 |
Work History
| Place | Position | Date |
| Vice President’s Office | Special Assistant on Political Matters | 2001 |
| National Assembly (Senate President’s Office) | Special Assistant on Media and Publicity | 1999 |
| Office of Presidential Adviser on Utilities | Special Assistant | 1999 |
| First Page Communications | Chief Executive Officer | 1993 |
| National Assembly (Deputy Senate President’s Office) | Chief Press Secretary | 1993 |
| National Assembly (Senate President’s Office) | Press Officer | 1992 |
Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise LGA, Imo State.
24th March 1965
Imo State
People's Democratic Party
Christianity
Governor, Imo State (2019-2020)
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (2011-2015)
Chief Whip of the House of Representatives (2007-2011)
House of Representatives Member, Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala(2003-2015)
senatorsamuelnanyanwu@gmail.com
Political History
In 1995, Ihedioha was appointed the Director of Publicity of People’s Democratic Movement.
Although Ihedioha had worked closely with politicians and political offices, he officially held a political position of his own when he was elected into the House of Representatives in 2003, to represent Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency of Imo State, on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party. He held this position until 2015.
Between 2003 and 2007, he served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Marine Transport and was credited with passing key bills that reformed the maritime industry, by allowing for increased participation of Nigerians in that sector. Following his re-election in 2007, Ihedioha was appointed the Chairman of the House Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa. He also served as the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives during that term. Ihedioha served as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015. Following the defection of the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, to APC, and his subsequent swearing-in as the Governor of Sokoto State, Ihedioha had to step up briefly as the Speaker of the House.
On March 9th, 2019, Ihedioha contested for the gubernatorial seat of Imo State, on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party. He was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission. He was thus sworn in as the Governor of Imo State in May 2019. However, the Supreme Court later ruled that the rightful winner of the elections was Hope Odidika Uzodinma.
Ihedioha was removed from office on January 14th, 2020.
Leadership Style/Philosophy
Awards & Honours
- 2014 Primatial Award for Integrity in Leadership conferred by the Anglican Church in Nigeria
- 2011 National Honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)
- Fellow, Chartered Institute of Shipping
- Distinguished Service Award of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations
- African Achievers Award in Kenya
- 2012 USAfrica International Legislative Leadership Award
- Recognition as one of Nigeria’s 50 Most Outstanding Legislators (1999-2009)
- Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology
- Fellow, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC)
Project
- During this time in the House of Representatives, when he served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Marine Transport, he passed key bills that reformed the maritime industry. These laws are:
- The International Convention for the Safety at Sea (Ratification and Enforcement) Act 2004
- The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (Ratification and Enforcement) Act 2005
- The United Nations Convention on Carriage of Goods by Sea (Ratification and Enforcement) Act 2005
- The International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for the Compensation of Oil Pollution Damage 1979 as amended (Ratification and Enforcement )Act 2006
- The International Convention on the Civil Liabilities for Oil Pollution Damage (Ratification and Enforcement) Act 2006.
- Merchant Shipping Act 2007
- Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria Act 2007
- During his short-lived tenure as the Governor of Imo State, he initiated key policies that enhanced fiscal responsibility in the state. These policies made the National Bureau for Statistics name Imo State the least corrupt state in Nigeria.
- Construction of interstate and intra city roads, power transmission stations, vocational centres, healthcare facilities, schools, and sporting facilities in his federal constituency
- Empowerment of women and youths through skills acquisition, scholarship and trading support