Abdullahi Shelleng

Abdullahi Shelleng (born 20 January 1942) was the first Military Governor of Benue State during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo, after Benue State had been split from the old Benue-Plateau State. He ruled from 3 February 1976 to July 1978 .

Background and education Abdullahi Shelleng was born on 20 January 1942 in Shelleng, in the Numan Local Government Area of the former Gongola State (now Adamawa State). He was educated in Shelleng and Yola, and attended the Government College, Zaria (1957–1961). He joined the Army in 1962 and attended the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna (April 1962 – August 1962), and then the Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul (1962–1965).

Military career He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in April 1965. He served as a Company Commander during the Nigerian Civil War. He attended Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, USA (1973–1974), and then was appointed Colonel, General Staff in Hq. 2nd Infantry Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan (1974–1975).

Following the coup, he became a Principal Staff Officer, Supreme Headquarters, Lagos (1975–1976).

Later career After retiring from the army, Abdullahi Shelleng became one of the leaders of the umbrella union of the North, the Arewa Consultative Forum.

In October 2005, he was one of the Adamawa State delegates at the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In April 2006 he was one of a group of Adamawa State PDP members who announced they had suspended Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the state governor Boni Haruna.