Six Governors Impeached Since 1999

Constitutional provision required to impeach a Governor in Nigeria is cumbersome, but six former governors were at a certain time while in office removed for various impeachable offences. Some of them had the judgment overturned by the Supreme Court and were reinstated, while others were not lucky.  

 Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State)

Governor Ayodele Fayose was impeached on October 15, 2006, along with his deputy Mrs Abiodun Olujimi on charges of corruption. Fayose was accused of embezzling state funds , especially in the Ekiti State Poultry Project which was handled by his childhood friend and contractor Gbenga James.

 Murtala Nyako (Adamawa State)

Governor Murtala Nyako was impeached by the Adamawa State House of Assembly on July 15 2014. He was removed by the state house of Assembly on allegations of gross misconduct. Out of 25 members sitting 17 adopted the results of the panel that probed the allegations against him. The report found the governor guilty of 16 counts of gross misconduct levelled against him by the house.

Joshua Dariye (Plateau State)

Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau State was impeached as the Governor of Plateau State, Nigeria on 13 November 2006 on alleged diversion of public fund and money laundering in London.  Dariye  was impeached in Jos, the capital of Plateau State after a legislative panel set up to try him for corruption submitted its findings to a 5-man House of Assembly.

Peter Obi (Anambra State)

On 2 November 2006, Governor Peter Obi was impeached by the Anambra State House of Assembly after seven months in office and was replaced the next day by Virginia Etiaba, his deputy, making her the first-ever female governor in Nigeria’s history.

Obi successfully challenged his impeachment and was re-instated as the governor on 9 February 2007 by the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu. Etiaba handed power back to him after the court ruling.

Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (Bayelsa State)

Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State was impeached on 9 December 2005 on alleged corruption including theft of public funds, abuse of office, and money laundering properties.

Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo State)

On 12 January 2006, Governor Rasheed Ladoja of Oyo State was impeached by Oyo State legislators and forced out of office. His deputy, Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, was sworn in as the new governor.

However, on 1 November 2006, the Appeal Court in the state capital, Ibadan, declared the impeachment null and illegal, but advised waiting for confirmation of this decision by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court upheld the decision on 11 November 2006, and Ladajo officially resumed office but was too late for him to seek a second term in office.

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