Samuel Ode

Samuel Ode (born 7 November 1968) is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who has served as the deputy governor of Benue State since 2023.

Early life and education

Ode was born in Edikwu, Benue State,

Ode began his education at NKST Primary School, Gboko from 1974 to 1980, and secondary at Wesley High School, Otukpo, where he received his General Certificate of Education in 1985. He further obtained a degree in law from Benue State Polytechnic in 1987. In 1993, he was admitted into the University of Jos, where he got his B.A. in Theatre Arts. In 2017, he did his yearly service at Nigerian Law School and was called to bar in 2019.

Career Ode was elected as the Benue state secretary of the National Democratic Party in 2002. He was later appointed by Goodluck Jonathan as the Minister of State of Niger Delta Affairs.

Ode is a fellow of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies.

Awards and honours 2023: Wesley University, Ondo state Honorary award

Deputy governorship position

In 2018, Ode was selected for the deputy governorship of the running mate of the APC gubernatorial flag bearer, Barr. Emmanuel Jime in Benue State.

In 2022, he was a candidate for governorship in the primary which he lost as the runner up to Alia. He later was appointed the running mate of the APC candidate for governorship, Hyacinth Iormem Alia for the 2023 general election in Benue State. Although, the Zone C APC elders of Benue South Senatorial District rejected his declaration as the governorship elect and denied the nomination by issuing a statement rejecting the reported choice of Ode as the running mate of Fr Alia. In 2023, He was declared the deputy governor of Benue State and was sworn in in May, 2023.

Personal life Ode married Christie Sam-Ode (née Ada) and has eight children.

Electoral controversy Titus Uba, an aspirant of the Governor of Benue State for People's Democratic Party in 2023 alleged that Ode presented a manipulated certificate to INEC. He stated it was in opposition to the [Section 182(1)(j)] of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Titus also said that the running mate for governorship of Ode, Hyacinth Alia's name was presented less than 180 days before the election date, and that of Ode wasn't presented after the re-run of the primary election. However, all his petitions were dismissed with the reason according to Justice Ibrahim Karaye as "pre statute-barred."

In another ruling by Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, he said, "The appellant failed to prove the allegation of forgery beyond reasonable doubt." He had also served as the Chairman of Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority.