List of Governors of Cross River State
South-Eastern State was formed on May 27, 1967 when Eastern Region was split into East-Central, Rivers and South-Eastern states. The state was renamed Cross River State in 1976.
| South-Eastern State | Title | Took Office | Left Office | Party | Notes |
| Uduokaha Esuene | Governor | 28 May 1967 | July 1975 | Military | |
| Paul Omu | Governor | 3 February 1976 | July 1978 | Military | |
| Cross River State | Title | Took Office | Left Office | Party | Notes |
| Paul Omu | Governor | 3 February 1976 | July 1978 | Military | |
| Babatunde Elegbede | Governor | July 1978 | October 1979 | Military | |
| Clement Isong | Governor | October 1979 | October 1983 | NPN | |
| Donald Etiebet | Governor | October 1983 | December 1983 | NPN | NAVY CAPTAIN EDET AKPAN ARCHIBONG; MILITARY GOVERNOR FROM JANUARY 1984 -MAY 1984 |
| Dan Archibong | Governor | MAY 1984 | 1986 | Military | |
| Eben Ibim Princewill | Governor | 1986 | December 1989 | Military | |
| Ernest Attah | Governor | December 1989 | January 1992 | Military | |
| Clement Ebri | Governor | January 1992 | November 1993 | NRC | |
| Ibrahim Kefas | Administrator | 9 December 1993 | 14 September 1994 | Military | |
| Gregory Agboneni | Administrator | 14 September 1994 | 22 August 1996 | Military | |
| Umar Farouk Ahmed | Administrator | 22 August 1996 | August 1998 | Military | |
| Christopher Osondu | Administrator | August 1998 | May 1999 | Military | |
| Donald Duke | Governor | 29 May 1999 | 29 May 2007 | PDP | |
| Liyel Imoke | Governor | 29 May 2007 | 29 May 2015 | PDP | |
| Benedict Ayade | Governor | 29 May 2015 | Incumbent | PDP |