19/03/2025
Impeached Governors and
Deputy Governors In Nigeria Political History
Throughout Nigeria's history, several state governors have been removed from office through impeachments or court rulings. Notable instances include:
- **Balarabe Musa (Kaduna State, 1981):** Musa was impeached on June 23, 1981, becoming the first executive governor removed from office by a state House of Assembly.
- **Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (Bayelsa State, 2005):** Alamieyeseigha was impeached on December 9, 2005, following charges of corruption and money laundering.
- **Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo State, 2006):** Ladoja was impeached on January 12, 2006, but was later reinstated by the courts.
- **Ayo Fayose (Ekiti State, 2006):** Fayose was impeached on October 16, 2006, amid allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
- **Peter Obi (Anambra State, 2006):** Obi was impeached on November 2, 2006, but successfully challenged his removal and was reinstated on February 9, 2007.
- **Joshua Dariye (Plateau State, 2006):** Dariye was impeached on November 13, 2006, but was reinstated by the courts in 2007.
- **Murtala Nyako (Adamawa State, 2014):** Nyako was impeached on July 15, 2014, over allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
Governors Removed by Court Decisions:
- **Emeka Ihedioha (Imo State, 2020):** In 2020, the Supreme Court sacked Ihedioha and declared Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 2019 governorship election.
- **Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun State, 2010):** Oyinlola was removed from office following a court ruling that declared Rauf Aregbesola of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as the validly elected governor.
- **Olusegun Oni (Ekiti State, 2010):** Oni was removed from office after a court declared Kayode Fayemi of the ACN as the duly elected governor.
- **Celestine Omehia (Rivers State, 2007):** Omehia was removed from office after the Supreme Court ruled that he had unlawfully taken Rotimi Amaechi's ticket for the election, declaring Amaechi as the rightful governor.
- **Oserheimen Osunbor (Edo State, 2008):** Osunbor was removed from office by the Appeal Court due to electoral irregularities, with Adams Oshiomhole of the defunct ACN declared as the governor.
- **Dave Umahi (Ebonyi State, 2022):** Umahi was sacked on March 8, 2022, by a Federal High Court in Abuja for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, this decision was later reversed on appeal.
**Ademola Adeleke (Osun State, 2023):** Adeleke was initially declared the winner of the 2022 governorship election but was sacked by a tribunal on January 27, 2023, which declared Adegboyega Oyetola as the winner. However, this decision was later overturned, and Adeleke was reinstated.
As of March 19, 2025, there have been recent developments regarding the removal of Nigerian state governors:
**Governor Suspended Under Emergency Rule:**
- **Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State, 2025):** On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and state lawmakers for six months. This action was taken in response to a political crisis and recent incidents of pipeline vandalism in the oil-rich state.
This marks the first emergency rule declared in Nigeria in over a decade. A retired vice admiral has been appointed as the military administrator of Rivers State during this period, while the judiciary continues to function.
**Deputy Governors Impeached:**
Since Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999, several deputy governors have been impeached due to disputes with their principals or allegations of misconduct. Notable cases include:
- **Philip Shaibu (Edo State, 2024):** Shaibu was impeached by the Edo State House of Assembly on accusations of perjury and disclosing state secrets amid a public feud with Governor Godwin Obaseki over his gubernatorial aspirations.
- **Rauf Olaniyan (Oyo State, 2022):** Olaniyan was removed from office following allegations of gross misconduct and insubordination.
- **Mahdi Aliyu Gusau (Zamfara State, 2022):** Gusau faced impeachment over allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
These instances underscore the dynamic nature of Nigeria's political landscape, where legal and legislative actions have led to the removal and, in some cases, reinstatement of state governors and their deputies.
These instances highlight the dynamic nature of Nigeria's political landscape, where legal and legislative actions have led to the removal and, in some cases, reinstatement of state governors.
