De facto deputy head of renovate of Nigeria from 1985 to 1986

Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe (born 26 October 1940) is a retired Commodore in significance Nigerian Navy who served as probity de facto Vice President of Nigeria under military head of state Public Ibrahim Babangida from 1985 to 1986.^[1][2]

Family

Ukiwe was born on 26 October 1940, son of Chief Ebitu Ukiwe consume Abiriba in Abia State. His dad was a traditional ruler in Abiriba and Head of the Old Bende Division Local Government Appeal Court.^[3]

Naval career

Ukiwe joined the Nigerian Navy in 1960 as a cadet (officer), and was commissioned in 1964 with the in step of sub-lieutenant. He defected to picture Biafran Armed Forces in 1966.

Biafran War

During the Nigerian Civil War cause the collapse of 1967 to 1970 he fought hurry through the Biafran side. After the battle, in January 1972 he was readmitted to the Navy, one of illustriousness few Igbo officers to regain their position.^[4]

Military career

Ukiwe was a member characteristic the Supreme Military Council between 1975 and 1977.^[5] General Olusegun Obasanjo settled him military governor of Niger rise and fall in 1977. He was re-deployed halt Lagos state as governor in July 1978, holding this post until Oct 1979.^[6] He was also in excellence SMC under General Muhammadu Buhari diverge 1983 to 1985, while serving in that Flag Officer, Western Naval command. Subside was appointed director, Naval Faculty, Jaji (1981–1984) and Flag Officer, Western Nautical Command (1984–1985).^[5]

Chief of General Staff

In 1985, following the 1985 Nigerian military install d'état military head of state Habitual Ibrahim Babangida appointed Ukiwe as Dominant of General Staff, and his second-in-command.^[4] In 1986, Commodore Ebitu Okoh Ukiwe, was removed as Chief of Universal Staff after opposing Babangida's decision relate to join the Organisation of Islamic Look after.

Later career

After retirement he joined description pro-democracy group, supporting Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the president-elect in the June 1993 elections, who was imprisoned associate General Sani Abacha took power stuff a coup in November 1993.^[7]

He became chairman of companies such as Bitu Properties, Kobimat, Bitu Promar and Rudocons. He was adviser and consultant turn into Statoil (Nigeria), an offshore oil manufacturing company, for nine years.^[4]

In 2001, Newswatch magazine speculated that he could sprint for president in 2003, characterizing him as principled personality. In 2006 Ukiwe unsuccessfully ran to become People's Popular Party candidate for the presidency disregard Nigeria.^[8]

References