Impeachment remains a powerful constitutional tool in Nigeria’s democracy, often used to remove governors accused of corruption, mismanagement, or political disloyalty.
Before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the state’s House of Assembly, there had been ongoing moves to impeach Fubara.
Had the impeachment been successful, Fubara would have joined a list of Nigerian governors who were removed from office in the Fourth Republic through impeachment.
Below is a comprehensive list of governors who have been impeached since 1999 and the reasons behind their removal.
1. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (Bayelsa State, 2005)
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was the first civilian governor of Bayelsa State when Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999.
After securing re-election in 2003, he was impeached in 2005 on charges of corruption, including money laundering, abuse of office, and theft of public funds.
Two years later, he pleaded guilty to six charges in court and was sentenced to prison.
2. Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo State, 2006)
Rashidi Ladoja served as governor of Oyo State from 2003 until his impeachment in January 2006. The state’s lawmakers removed him from office, citing political differences.
Christopher Alao-Akala was sworn in as his replacement.
However, in December 2006, the court reinstated Ladoja as governor, ruling that his removal was unconstitutional. He remained in office until 2007.
Ladoja later stated that his impeachment was politically motivated because he opposed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third-term bid.
3. Ayo Fayose (Ekiti State, 2006)
Elected in 2003, Ayo Fayose’s tenure as governor of Ekiti State ended in 2006 when he and his deputy, Biodun Olujimi, were impeached over allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption.
The impeachment was supported by 24 out of 26 lawmakers in the state’s House of Assembly.
Fayose was accused of mismanaging funds, particularly in relation to the Ekiti State Poultry Project.
Following his removal, Friday Aderemi was sworn in as governor.
However, the Supreme Court later ruled that Fayose’s impeachment was illegal, and then-President Olusegun Obasanjo described the process as unconstitutional.
4. Peter Obi (Anambra State, 2006)
Before emerging as the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi served as governor of Anambra State.
His first tenure was cut short in 2006 when lawmakers impeached him after just six months in office.
Obi claimed he was impeached for refusing to inflate the state’s budget and for maintaining a high level of accountability in governance.
He challenged his impeachment in court, and the Court of Appeal ruled in his favor, reinstating him on February 9, 2007.
5. Joshua Dariye (Plateau State, 2006)
Joshua Dariye faced impeachment attempts from Plateau State lawmakers in October 2006, with eight out of 24 assembly members initiating the process.
He challenged their actions, arguing that they did not form the necessary quorum.
Dariye was accused of money laundering and was eventually impeached in November 2006.
His deputy, Michael Botmang, was sworn in as governor. However, the Supreme Court later nullified his impeachment.
After his tenure ended in May 2007, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused him of diverting N1 billion meant for the state’s ecological funds.
6. Murtala Nyako (Adamawa State, 2014)
In 2014, Murtala Nyako was impeached as the governor of Adamawa State over allegations of misappropriating N17 billion, illegally deducting workers’ salaries, and mismanaging local government funds.
Both Nyako and his deputy, Bala Ngilari, were served impeachment notices in June 2014.
By July, Nyako was removed from office, and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who was the Speaker of the House of Assembly at the time, was sworn in as acting governor.
