In the wake of the political storm in Rivers State, where moves to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara preceded President Bola Tinubu's declaration of a state of emergency, attention has turned to the nation's history of gubernatorial removals. Had the process against Fubara succeeded, he would have joined a very exclusive and controversial group.
The Contested History of Gubernatorial Impeachment
Since Nigeria's return to democratic rule in 1999, the impeachment of a state governor remains a rare but deeply contentious event. The Fourth Republic has witnessed several high-profile removals, many of which were later overturned by the judiciary, raising significant questions about due process and the political motivations behind such actions.
These cases often serve as flashpoints, revealing the underlying tensions between executive power, legislative authority, and judicial oversight in Nigeria's complex political landscape.
The Complete List of Impeached Governors
1. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (Bayelsa State)
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha made history as the first civilian governor of Bayelsa State in 1999. His tenure, which included a re-election in 2003, came to a dramatic end in 2005. The Bayelsa State House of Assembly impeached him on grounds of corruption, abuse of office, and money laundering.
This case gained further notoriety when, two years after his removal, Alamieyeseigha entered a guilty plea to multiple corruption charges, resulting in a prison sentence. His impeachment and subsequent conviction mark one of the most definitive episodes of political accountability in recent Nigerian history.
2. Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (Oyo State)
Governor Rashidi Ladoja's time in office was cut short in January 2006 when lawmakers in Oyo State removed him from power. His deputy, Christopher Alao-Akala, was swiftly sworn in as his replacement.
However, the courts intervened, ruling in Ladoja's favour and leading to his reinstatement in December 2006. Ladoja has consistently maintained that his impeachment was a political punishment for his refusal to support a controversial third-term agenda for the then-president, Olusegun Obasanjo.
3. Ayo Fayose (Ekiti State)
Ayo Fayose, elected in 2003, faced impeachment alongside his deputy, Biodun Olujimi, in October 2006. The State House of Assembly, with an overwhelming majority, accused him of financial mismanagement related to projects like the Ekiti State Poultry Project.
The legality of the process was fiercely contested. Former President Obasanjo criticized it as a power grab, and ultimately, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment, declaring Fayose's removal unlawful.
4. Peter Obi (Anambra State)
Peter Obi's first term as governor of Anambra State was abruptly interrupted by an impeachment in 2006, merely six months into his tenure. Obi argued that his refusal to approve what he deemed inflated budgets led to his ouster.
The Court of Appeal nullified the impeachment, citing a failure to follow due process, and reinstated him on February 9, 2007. This case established a crucial legal precedent regarding the proper procedures for impeaching a governor in Nigeria.
5. Joshua Dariye (Plateau State)
Joshua Dariye's governorship was mired in instability, culminating in his impeachment in November 2006. He was replaced by his deputy, Michael Botmang. The Supreme Court later overturned the removal, ruling it invalid because it was initiated by only eight lawmakers, which did not constitute a legal quorum.
Dariye's tenure ended in 2007, but legal troubles persisted, with the EFCC pursuing allegations of diverting approximately N1 billion in ecological funds.
6. Murtala Nyako (Adamawa State)
In July 2014, Murtala Nyako and his deputy, Bala Ngilari, were impeached by the Adamawa State House of Assembly. Lawmakers levied serious accusations, including the misappropriation of over N17 billion, illegal salary deductions, and misuse of local government allocations.
Following the removal, the then-Speaker, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, was sworn in as acting governor. Nyako's impeachment stands as one of the most recent instances where a governor's removal was not subsequently reversed by the courts.
A Legacy of Legal and Political Battles
The history of gubernatorial impeachment in Nigeria's Fourth Republic is not just a list of names; it is a narrative of intense political warfare, legal ingenuity, and institutional conflict. The fact that a majority of these impeachments were later overturned by the judiciary underscores a persistent crisis of due process.
These cases highlight the delicate balance of power and the ease with which impeachment can be weaponized for political ends. As demonstrated by the recent tensions in Rivers State, the threat or use of impeachment remains a potent tool, capable of triggering significant constitutional and political crises.
The legacy of these six governors serves as a stark reminder: in Nigeria, removing an elected state chief executive is a process fraught with legal complexity and profound political consequences, often leaving a lasting impact on the state's governance and stability.
