By Our Correspondent
In the history of Nigerian politics, from the First Republic, there have been struggles and attempts to impeach governors. However, successful impeachments have been rare. Only a few governors were actually removed from office, despite numerous attempts over the years.
This is why we have compiled for you seven Nigerian governors who were successfully impeached.
1. Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa. A former governor of Kaduna State, born on 21 August 1936, and who died on 11 November 2020. He served as governor of Kaduna State under the PRP during the Second Republic, starting in October 1979. On 23 June 1981, members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly impeached him. Although he was a member of the PRP, the majority of legislators belonged to the NPN, which enabled them to remove him from office in 1981. He thus became the first governor to be impeached in the history of Nigerian politics. He later continued in politics and even contested again for the governorship of Kaduna State but was unsuccessful, before finally retiring from politics in August 2018.
2. Peter Ayodele Fayose. A former governor of Ekiti State, born on 15 November 1960. He served as governor of Ekiti State from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2014 to 2018. In May 2003, Fayose became the second governor of Ekiti State after defeating the incumbent governor, Niyi Adebayo. However, he was impeached on 16 October 2006 before the end of his tenure. He later returned as governor in 2014 after defeating the incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi, making him the first person in Nigerian political history to defeat two sitting governors.
3. Peter Gregory Obi A former Nigerian presidential candidate, born on 19 July 1961. He served as governor of Anambra State from 17 March 2006 until 2 November 2006, when he was impeached while serving under the APGA platform. However, the court reinstated him on 9 February 2007, allowing him to complete his term until 2010. He was later re-elected for a second term, which lasted until 7 March 2014. The Anambra State House of Assembly impeached him on 3 November 2006 over allegations of “gross misconduct and constitutional violations.” His deputy, Virginia Etiaba, replaced him and became the first female governor in Nigeria. After approaching the court, the impeachment was nullified and he was reinstated on 9 February 2007.
4. Joshua Chibi Dariye A former governor of Plateau State, born on 27 July 1957. He served as governor of Plateau State from 1999 to 2004, from 2004 to 2006, and again from April to May 2007. He was successfully impeached on 13 November 2006, and his deputy, Michael Botmang, replaced him. On 10 March 2007, the Court of Appeal nullified the impeachment, and on 27 April 2007, the Supreme Court affirmed the ruling and ordered his reinstatement. As a result, Dariye returned to office and completed his tenure on 29 May 200
5. Adewolu Ladoja. His Royal Majesty Oba Adewolu Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State, was born on 25 September 1944 and is currently the Olubadan of Ibadan (traditional ruler of Ibadan). He served as governor of Oyo State from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2006 to 2007. He also served as Senator representing Oyo South from 1992 to 1993. He won the governorship electon in April 2003 under the PDP and assumed office in May 2003. On 12 January 2006, the Oyo State House of Assembly impeached Ladoja, and his deputy, Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, replaced him. On 1 November 2006, the Court of Appeal nullified the impeachment, and on 11 November 2006, the Supreme Court upheld that decision. Ladoja was reinstated on 12 December 2006.
6. Alamieyeseigha A former governor of Bayelsa State, born on 16 November 1952 and who died on 10 October 2015. He was the first governor of Bayelsa State, serving from 29 May 1999 to 9 December 2005 under the PDP. After successfully securing a second term, he began facing serious challenges, including allegations of corruption. He later attempted to flee by disguising himself as a woman. He was impeached on 9 December 2005 on corruption charges and was later detained by a court in the United Kingdom. Former President Goodluck Jonathan granted him a pardon on 12 March 2013.
7. Murtala Nyako A former naval chief and former governor of Adamawa State, born on 27 August 1942. He served as governor of Adamawa State from 2007 to 2008 and from 2008 to 2014. He had earlier served as military governor of Niger State from 1976 to 1977 and as Chief of Naval Staff from 1990 to 1992. He became governor in April 2007, but in February 2008 an election tribunal nullified his victory, and the Speaker of the State Assembly, James Barka, became acting governor. A fresh election was conducted, and Nyako won again in April 2008. However, on 15 July 2015, the State Assembly impeached him over 16 allegations of gross misconduct. On 11 February 2016, the Court of Appeal nullified the impeachment, and on 16 December 2016, the Supreme Court upheld the ruling of the Court of Appeal. Despite this, he was not reinstated.
