Samuel Ode

Ode was born in Edikwu, Benue State, as the tenth out of fifteen children. His father, Christopher Ikwue Ode of Idoma descent, was a retired soldier and colonel in 1982, and the mother, Helen Mzamber of Tiv descent, was a trained nurse.{{cite web| url= https://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/benue-im-idoma-bridge-governorship-ode/| date= November 28, 2014| title= Benue: I'm the Idoma bridge to the governorship — Ode| last= Duru| first= Peter| website= Vanguard NG| access-date= 17 February 2024| archive-date= 5 February 2022| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220205081350/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/benue-im-idoma-bridge-governorship-ode/| url-status= live}}

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.{{cite web| url= https://blerf.org/index.php/biography/ode-chief-hon-samuel/| title= ODE, Chief (Hon) Samuel| website= Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation| date= 16 January 2017|access-date= 15 February 2024}}

Ode was elected as the Benue state secretary of the National Democratic Party in 2002. In 2005, he was appointed as the Special Assistant to the Governor George Akume until he became the caretaker Chairman of Otukpo.

Ode was also appointed the special adviser on Local Government and Chieftain Affairs to the governor by Gabriel Suswam.{{cite web| url= https://dailytrust.com/ode-for-the-first-time-tiv-idoma-are-smiling-together/|title= Ode: For The First Time, Tiv, Idoma Are Smiling Together| website= Daily Trust|date= 2 April 2010| access-date= 17 February 2024}} He later later appointed by Goodluck Jonathan as the Minister of State of Niger Delta Affairs. He was also the Nigerian presidential liaison to Abdoulaye Wade, the then president of Senegal during the 39th ECOWAS summit for African Heads of State and Government.

He was a governorship candidate for the 2015 election in the state.{{cite web| url= https://www.channelstv.com/2014/11/29/sam-ode-declares-for-benue-governorship/| title= Sam Ode Declares For Benue Governorship| website= Channels TV| access-date= 17 February 2024| archive-date= 1 October 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231001092436/https://www.channelstv.com/2014/11/29/sam-ode-declares-for-benue-governorship/| url-status= live}}

Ode is a fellow of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies.{{cite web| url= https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/04/04/former-minister-sam-ode-named-benue-deputy-governor-elect| title= Former Minister Sam Ode Named Benue Deputy Governor-elect| website= This Day Newspaper| access-date= 15 February 2024| archive-date= 13 April 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230413204300/https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/04/04/former-minister-sam-ode-named-benue-deputy-governor-elect/| url-status= live}}

• 2023: Wesley University, Ondo state Honorary award{{cite news| url= https://tribuneonlineng.com/wesley-university-produces-38-first-class-graduates/| title= Wesley University produces 38 first-class graduates| last= Alimi| first= Nurudeen| date= November 15, 2023| publisher= Nigerian Tribune| access-date= 17 February 2024| archive-date= 20 November 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231120232552/https://tribuneonlineng.com/wesley-university-produces-38-first-class-graduates/| url-status= live}}

{{further|2023 Benue State gubernatorial election}}

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.{{cite web| url= https://dailytrust.com/benue-former-minister-ode-replaces-akor-as-jimes-running-mate/| title= Benue: Former Minister, Ode Replaces Akor As Jime's Running Mate| website= Daily Trust| date= 2 December 2018| quote= A former Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Barr. Sam Ode has emerged the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC)| access-date= 17 February 2023}}{{cite web| url= https://punchng.com/apc-names-ode-as-govs-running-mate-in-benue/| title= APC names Ode as gov's running mate in Benue| website= punchng.com| date= December 2018| access-date= 17 February 2024| archive-date= 9 June 2019| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190609072020/https://punchng.com/apc-names-ode-as-govs-running-mate-in-benue/| url-status= live}}

In 2022, he was a candidate for governorship in the primary which he lost as the runner up to Alia.{{cite web| url= https://nigerianobservernews.com/2023/02/father-alia-emerges-winner-of-benue-apc-gov-rerun/| title= Father Alia emerges winner of Benue APC gov rerun| author= Itsibor Itsibor| date= February 3, 2023| website= Nigerian Observer News| access-date= 17 February 2024| archive-date= 1 April 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230401083549/https://nigerianobservernews.com/2023/02/father-alia-emerges-winner-of-benue-apc-gov-rerun/| url-status= live}}{{cite web| url= https://tribuneonlineng.com/alia-wins-rescheduled-apc-governorship-primaries-in-benue/| title= Again, Catholic priest Alia wins rescheduled APC governorship primaries in Benue| author= Johnson Babajide| date= February 3, 2023| work= Nigerian tribune| access-date= 17 February 2024| archive-date= 26 March 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230326151649/https://tribuneonlineng.com/alia-wins-rescheduled-apc-governorship-primaries-in-benue/| url-status= live}}{{cite web| url= https://punchng.com/again-catholic-priest-emerges-benue-apc-gov-candidate/| title= Again, Catholic priest emerges Benue APC gov candidate| date= 4 February 2023| work= punchng.com| access-date= 17 February 2024| archive-date= 14 May 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230514064108/https://punchng.com/again-catholic-priest-emerges-benue-apc-gov-candidate/| url-status= live}} He later was appointed the running mate of the APC candidate for governorship, Hyacinth Iormem Alia for the 2023 general election in Benue State.{{cite news| url= https://thenationonlineng.net/benue-apc-picks-ode-as-deputy-governorship-candidate/| title= Benue APC picks Ode as deputy governorship candidate| publisher= The Nation| access-date= 15 February 2024| archive-date= 28 July 2022| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220728161037/https://thenationonlineng.net/benue-apc-picks-ode-as-deputy-governorship-candidate/| url-status= live}} 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.{{cite web| url= https://dailypost.ng/2022/07/26/2023-fresh-trouble-in-benue-apc-as-zone-c-elders-reject-sam-ode-as-alias-running-mate/| title= 2023: Fresh trouble in Benue APC as Zone C elders reject Sam Ode as Alia's running mate| website= Daily Post| date= July 26, 2022| author= Ochogwu Sunday| access-date= 17 February 2024| archive-date= 12 December 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231212050412/https://dailypost.ng/2022/07/26/2023-fresh-trouble-in-benue-apc-as-zone-c-elders-reject-sam-ode-as-alias-running-mate/| url-status= live}}{{cite news|url= https://independent.ng/apc-elders-deny-sam-odes-nomination-as-running-mate-to-guber-candidate-in-benue/|title= APC Elders Deny Sam Ode's Nomination As Running Mate To Guber Candidate In Benue|author= Toyin Adebayo|publisher= Independent Newspaper|date= July 23, 2022|access-date= 17 February 2024|archive-date= 12 August 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220812154246/https://independent.ng/apc-elders-deny-sam-odes-nomination-as-running-mate-to-guber-candidate-in-benue/|url-status= live}} In 2023, He was declared the deputy governor of Benue State and was sworn in in May, 2023.{{cite web| url= https://von.gov.ng/inauguration-north-central-governors-take-oath-of-office/| title= Inauguration: North Central Governors Take Oath Of Office| author1= Nnenna Okoronkwo| author2= Bilkisu Halilu| date= May 29, 2023| website= von.gov.ng| access-date= 17 February 2024| archive-date= 3 October 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231003140243/https://von.gov.ng/inauguration-north-central-governors-take-oath-of-office/| url-status= live}}{{cite web| url= https://ait.live/benue-governorship-tribunal-adjourns-for-judgement/| website= AIT| title= Benue Governorship: Tribunal adjourns for judgement| date= 14 August 2023| access-date= 17 February 2024| archive-date= 16 August 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230816193527/https://ait.live/benue-governorship-tribunal-adjourns-for-judgement/| url-status= live}}{{cite news| url= https://von.gov.ng/benue-state-incoming-administration-will-hit-the-ground-running-deputy-governor-elect/| title= Benue State: "Incoming Administration Will Hit The Ground Running" – Deputy Governor-Elect| author= Aloysius Umalo| date= May 28, 2023| access-date= 17 February 2024| archive-date= 26 September 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230926162623/https://von.gov.ng/benue-state-incoming-administration-will-hit-the-ground-running-deputy-governor-elect/| url-status= live}}

Ode married Christie Sam-Ode (née Ada) and had eight children.{{cite web| url= https://thevoicenewspaper.ng/gov-alia-celebrates-sam-ode-at-55/| title= Gov Alia celebrates Sam Ode at 55| author= Moses Akawe| date= November 7, 2023| website= The Voices Newspaper| access-date= 17 February 2024| archive-date= 5 December 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231205143521/https://thevoicenewspaper.ng/gov-alia-celebrates-sam-ode-at-55/| url-status= live}}

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.{{cite web| url= https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/08/benue-guber-pdp-uba-urges-tribunal-to-nullify-alias-victory-over-alleged-forgery/| date= August 14, 2023| title= Benue guber: PDP, Uba urges tribunal to nullify Alia's victory over alleged forgery| website= Vanguard NG| access-date= 17 February 2024| archive-date= 21 August 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230821154854/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/08/benue-guber-pdp-uba-urges-tribunal-to-nullify-alias-victory-over-alleged-forgery/| url-status= live}} He stated it was in opposition to the [Section 182(1)(j)] of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.{{cite web| url= https://www.nationalaccordnewspaper.com/appeal-court-affirms-hyacinth-alia-as-benue-governor/| title= Appeal Court affirms Hyacinth Alia as Benue Governor| date= November 20, 2023| website= National Accord Newspaper| access-date= 17 February 2024| archive-date= 3 December 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231203143218/https://www.nationalaccordnewspaper.com/appeal-court-affirms-hyacinth-alia-as-benue-governor/| url-status= live}}{{cite web| url= https://idomavoice.com/benue-deputy-governors-counsel-dismisses-pdps-election-petition/| title= Benue Deputy Governor's counsel dismisses PDP's election petition| author= Treasure Orokpo|website= Idoma Voice|date= September 1, 2023| access-date= 17 February 2024}}

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."{{cite news| url= https://www.channelstv.com/2023/11/20/benue-gov-poll-appeal-court-dismisses-ubas-appeal-against-alia-deputy/| title= Benue Gov Poll: Appeal Court Dismisses Uba's Appeal Against Alia, Deputy| publisher= Channels TV| access-date= 17 February 2024| archive-date= 25 December 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231225231805/https://www.channelstv.com/2023/11/20/benue-gov-poll-appeal-court-dismisses-ubas-appeal-against-alia-deputy/| url-status= live}}

In another ruling by Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, he said, "The appellant failed to prove the allegation of forgery beyond reasonable doubt."

He is also the chairman of the organising committee of Benue International Investment Summit.{{cite news| url= https://sunnewsonline.com/benue-set-to-hold-first-international-investment-summit-sir-addingi/| title= Benue set to hold first International investment summit – Sir Addingi| publisher= Sun News Nigeria| access-date= 17 February 2024}} He had also served as the Chairman of Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority.{{cite web| url= https://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/benue-fight-finish-tividoma/| date= October 3, 2014| title= Benue: It's fight to finish for Tiv/Idoma| website= Vanguard NG| access-date= 17 February 2024| archive-date= 6 May 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210506054546/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/benue-fight-finish-tividoma/| url-status= live}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://alia2023.org/ Campaign website]

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Category:Living people

Category:People from Benue State

Category:All Progressives Congress politicians

Category:1968 births

Category:Nigerian lawyers

Category:Nigerian educators

Category:Nigerian Law School alumni