Ikedi Ohakim (born 4 August 1957) is a Nigerian businessman who became governor of Imo State in the South Eastern region in May 2007, standing for the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA). He later switched to the People's Democratic Party (PDP). Background Ikedi Ohakim was born on 4 August 1957 in Okohia in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State. He attended the University of Lagos, gaining a BSc in business administration and a master's degree in management. Ohakim worked for over 15 years at First Aluminium and then at Tower Groups. He became executive director of Alucon in 1997, and later became chairman of Mekalog Group, an engineering firm supplying the defense, security, construction, fabrication, oil and gas sectors. Ohakim is married to Barrister Chioma Ohakim. They have five children. One of his daughters is a medical doctor, entrepreneur, public speaker, and digital influencer Adanna Steinacker who is married to German native David Steinacker, a business consultant in the technology sector. Early political career Ohakim was appointed Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Imo State from 1992 to 1993 under governor Evan Enwerem. The government was removed from office by the military regime headed by General Sani Abacha. He was one of the founding members of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, and remained a PDP member until November 2006, when he transferred to the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA). He ran for governor of Imo State on the PPA platform in April 2007. Ohakim had aspired to be the PDP governorship candidate, but claimed that he pulled out because of what he described as "commercialization" of the party ticket, deciding to run for another party instead. He said there was little ideological difference between the PDP and the PPA. After widespread violence broke out during voting on 14 April 2007, the Independent National Electoral Commission cancelled the election and rescheduled it for 28 April 2007. Ohakim was declared the victor of the second election. His opponent Martins Agbaso of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) challenged the decision, claiming he was leading when the first election was cancelled, and claiming other irregularities. After protracted legal battles, on 16 December 2009 the Appeal Court in Abuja ordered a fresh trial. Governor of Imo State In April 2009 Ohakim led a fourteen-man delegation to Taiwan to see what lessons from that resource-poor but dynamic economy could be applied