Agadaga Benson Sunday

Benson Sunday Agadaga, born on June 12, 1956, is a politician from Bayelsa State and represents the Urohobo tribe.

His family roots include his father, Chief Sunday Ebenezer Agadaga, and mother, Mrs. Virginia Erenimugha Agadaga. He is married to Mrs. Regina Apuega Agadage.

He started his education at ST. Luke School in Ologoghe from 1960 to 1967, followed by secondary studies at ST. Michael High School in Oloibiri between 1969 and 1970.

From 1976 to 1979, he attended Rivers State College of Education in Port Harcourt, continuing his academic pursuits at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria from 1981 to 1983.

Between 1998 and 2000, Benson studied further at the University of Calabar. He later enrolled in the Federal University of Technology in Owerri from 2000 to 2004.

He earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Human Resources Management in 2006.

Agadaga held leadership roles as principal at C.S.S Kolo from 1988 to 1993, and later served as principal at G.G.S Ukubie between 1995 and 1996.

He also worked at C.S.S Zarama from 1996 to 1998 before serving in government capacities. He was Special Adviser on Establishment for Governor Seriake Dickson’s administration in Bayelsa State.

In 2019, he initially considered a gubernatorial bid but later withdrew his ambition. Agadaga was appointed Chief of Staff to Governor Douye Diri from February 2020 until 2022 when he resigned to run for the Bayelsa East Senatorial District seat.

He won the PDP nomination in 2023 with 67 votes, defeating Rex Jude Ogbuku (41 votes) and Nyenami Odual (2 votes). Though initially reported as having polled over 22,517 votes, he lost to Fremieyo Degi of APC.