Two & Half Decades of Leadership in Eleme Local Government Area (1999–2025)


By Nwafor Oji Awala

When Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999, Eleme Local Government Area, one of the oil-rich and industrially strategic councils in Rivers State, joined in the unfolding experiment of grassroots governance. For the Eleme people, whose native language and indigenous identity remain distinct in the Niger Delta, this era has been marked by the alternating leadership of elected chairmen and appointed caretaker administrators.


HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Eleme’s political history predates the 1999 democratic dispensation. Under the Eastern Nigeria Government, Eleme functioned as a Country Council with its headquarters at Nchia. Over time, Nchia Eleme hosted the headquarters of OTELGA, GOTELGA, and later TELGA, before Tai was carved out of the Tai/Eleme Local Government in 1996 under the military junta of the late Gen. Sani Abacha.

It is therefore erroneous to say Eleme Local Government was created in 1996. Rather, it was Tai Local Government that was created, while Eleme LGA retained its identity, with headquarters at Ogale, Nchia. It was in this political rearrangement that Chief Nwokolu Dimkpa Nte emerged as the first elected chairman of the newly defined Eleme LGA.

Hon. Olaka Nwogu, who would later rise to become a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, had earlier been the first Eleme son to be elected as Chairman of the former Tai/Eleme LGA before the split.


THE ELECTED CHAIRMEN AND CARETAKER LEADERS (1999–2017)

From 1999 to 2017, Eleme was governed by a mixture of elected chairmen and caretaker committee chairmen (CTCs) as political circumstances demanded. Below is the record of leadership within the period:

Barr. Princely Chujor (Elected Chairman, 1999–2001)

Hon. Onorwi Ngofa (CTC Chairman, Jan–June 2002)

Hon. Fred Mbombo Igwe (CTC Chairman, July 2002–Jan 2003)

Hon. Davies Saloka (Aug 2003–April 2004)

Hon. Ejor N. Ejor (2004–2007)

Late Mba Lale Obe (CTC Chairman, Aug–Oct 2007)

Hon. Josiah Olu (CTC Chairman, Dec 2007–May 2008)

Hon. Kammy Ngelale (CTC Chairman)

Hon. Oji Ngofa (2-term Elected Chairman and CTC Chairman Chairman between 2008 and 2014)

Prince Awalanta Ejire (CTC chairman)

Hon. Fineman Olungwe (2015, Elected Chairman)

Barr. Philip Okparaj (CTC Chairman, 2015, later elected in 2018).

Hon. J.O. Nwogu (CTC Chairman, Nov. 2015–Sept 2016)

Hon. Obarilormate Ollor (Caretaker Chairman, 2017; later elected in 2021)

Hon. Godwin Abbey (Caretaker Chairman, 2018)


TRANSITION INTO THE NEW ERA (2018–2025)

After the 2017 caretaker period, Eleme politics entered a more stabilised phase. Barr Philip Okparaji returned as elected chairman in 2018, marking a greater involvement of grassroots voices in governance. The return of Chief Obarilomate Ollor as elected chairman in 2021 marked continuity in leadership.

The cycle of appointed administrators, however, continued. Notably:

Hon. Brain Ada Gokpa was appointed Caretaker Committee Chairman of Eleme Council by Governor Siminalayi Fubara in 2024.

Dr. Gloria Obo Dibiah became Administrator of Eleme LGA in 2025, appointed by Rtd Admiral Ete Ibas.

Chief Obarilomate Ollor, currently serving his second term as Executive Chairman, is the present leader of the council, anchoring Eleme’s place in the state’s democratic journey.


CONCLUSION 

In two and half decades of democracy, Eleme Local Government Area has experienced alternating patterns of elected leadership and caretaker administrations. 

From Chief Nwokolu Dimkpa Nte, the first elected chairman, to the present leadership of Chief Obarilomate Ollor, Eleme’s political story reflects both resilience and adaptability.

It is a reminder that grassroots democracy is not only about elections but about continuity, service, and the preservation of Eleme’s cultural and political identity within Rivers State and Nigeria at large.

(c) Nwafor Oji Awala 

Editor-in-chief: Two & Half Decades of Cultural & Political Developments in Eleme

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