Agbai Urges Politicians To Learn From Ukiwe’s Exit From IBB Govt

Dr Agbai Eke Agbai has urged Nigerian politicians to learn from retired Commodore Ebitu Oko Ukiwe’s decision to quit the Ibrahim Babangida administration in 1986 due to disagreements over government policy.

Agbai made the call in a birthday message to Ukiwe, who turned 86 on October 26, 2026.

Agbai, who’s a policy analyst, academic and ex-aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, said Ukiwe’s record in public service offered lessons to political leaders on the need to uphold integrity and personal convictions when confronted with difficult choices.

He said Ukiwe’s decision to leave the position of Chief of General Staff under IBB’s government was a good example that public office should be treated as a responsibility rather than a possession.

Ukiwe was appointed Chief of General Staff in August 1985 after Babangida took power. He was the second-highest-ranking official in the military government and was the country’s de facto vice-president.

His tenure ended in October 1986 following disagreements with Babangida’s administration over Nigeria’s relationship with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and changes to the military government’s chain of command.

Ukiwe rejected an offer to become Chief of Naval Staff after leaving the position. He later retired from the Nigerian Navy in January 1987 with the rank of commodore.

In his birthday message, Agbai described the former naval officer as a public servant who placed conscience above political advantage.

Quoting Agbai, “Your life offers a compelling lesson to contemporary politicians who regard the acquisition and retention of public office as a do-or-die affair. You remind us that public office is a responsibility, not a possession; that power is transient, but character endures; and that a good name, earned through principled service, is worth far more than the privileges of office.”

Born on October 26, 1940, in Abiriba, Abia State, Ukiwe built a military career that took him from naval command to the administration of two states before his appointment as deputy head of the military government.

He joined the Royal Nigerian Navy in 1960 and received training in Nigeria and the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, England. He was commissioned in 1964 and served aboard British naval vessels before returning to Nigeria.

During the Nigerian Civil War, Ukiwe fought on the Biafran side and commanded gunboats involved in naval operations around Port Harcourt and the Niger Delta creeks. He was among the Igbo officers readmitted into the Nigerian Navy after the war.

His subsequent career included membership of the Supreme Military Council under the military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo.

In August 1977, he was appointed military governor of Niger State. He was redeployed to Lagos State in July 1978 and served until the return to civilian rule in October 1979 and the handover to the elected governor, Lateef Jakande.

After his state governorships, Ukiwe attended the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and earned a master’s degree in defence studies in 1981. He later became the first director of the Nigerian Navy Faculty at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and served as Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command from 1984 to 1985.

As Chief of General Staff, Ukiwe represented Nigeria at major international engagements, including the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Nassau in 1985 and the Organisation of African Unity summit in Addis Ababa in 1986. He also addressed the United Nations General Assembly in 1985.

After his retirement, Ukiwe remained involved in public affairs, including pro-democracy activities after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. He supported calls for the recognition of the election mandate of Moshood Abiola and participated in initiatives aimed at promoting political cooperation and national unity.

He was also involved in debates on political restructuring and state creation, including the demand for improved representation for the South-East and South-South. In 2005, he participated in the National Political Reform Conference.

Ukiwe later pursued business interests and served in corporate leadership and advisory roles, including as a consultant to Statoil Nigeria on deep offshore operations. He also sought the presidential nomination of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2007 general election but did not secure the ticket.

Ukiwe holds the traditional title of Ochiagha of Abiriba and has received national and academic honours, including the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).

In his birthday message, Agbai acknowledged Ukiwe’s influence on younger people.

He described him as a mentor whose example had reinforced the importance of standing by one’s convictions despite the personal cost.

Agbai said Ukiwe’s record would continue to attract the attention of historians and future generations because of his decision to relinquish a key position in government.

He wished the retired officer good health, peace and happiness as he marks his 86th birthday.