How Many Politicians Have Been Impeached In Nigeria?
Several Nigerian politicians have been impeached. Since the Fourth Republic began in 1999, at least five governors have been removed: Ayo Fayose, Peter Obi, Joshua Dariye, Rashidi Ladoja, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, and Murtala Nyako. Many deputy governors and legislative leaders have also faced impeachment.
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Impeached Nigerian State Governors From 1999
| Governor | State | Year of Impeachment |
|---|---|---|
| Diepreye Alamieyeseigha | Bayelsa | 2005 |
| Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja | Oyo | 2006 |
| Ayo Fayose | Ekiti | 2006 |
| Peter Obi | Anambra | 2006 |
| Joshua Dariye | Plateau | 2006 |
| Murtala Nyako | Adamawa | 2014 |
1. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, former Governor of Bayelsa State, was impeached on December 9, 2005, following allegations of corruption and money laundering.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been investigating him, uncovering assets linked to financial crimes.
He was accused of diverting public funds and laundering money, with properties traced to multiple countries, including the UK. Charged in the UK for laundering over $3 million, he jumped bail, triggering an international arrest warrant.
The EFCC also found evidence of fraudulent financial activities and abuse of office. The Bayelsa State House of Assembly served him a notice of impeachment, demanding a response within 14 days. Seventeen out of 24 members voted in favor, stripping him of his immunity.
Immediately after, he was arrested by the police. Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as acting governor. Alamieyeseigha later pleaded guilty to some charges in Nigeria and faced legal action in the UK.
2. Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja
Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, former Governor of Oyo State, was impeached on January 12, 2006. His impeachment came from a fierce power struggle with his political godfather, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu.
Ladoja was elected governor in 2003 under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). His refusal to let Adedibu control state appointments and finances started a conflict.
This power struggle divided the Oyo State House of Assembly, with some lawmakers backing Adedibu while others stood with Ladoja.
He also claimed that his opposition to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third-term agenda played a part in his removal.
Oyo State legislators voted to impeach him, installing his deputy, Adebayo Alao-Akala, as acting governor. Ladoja took the matter to court, arguing that his impeachment was unconstitutional.
The courts sided with him, ruling the impeachment null and void. On December 12, 2006, the Supreme Court reinstated him as governor.
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3. Ayo Fayose
Ayo Fayose, the former Governor of Ekiti State, was impeached on October 16, 2006. His time in office was clouded by allegations of corruption and mismanagement, especially regarding the Ekiti State Poultry Project.
Elected in 2003, Fayose faced accusations of diverting state funds for personal gain. His close associate, Gbenga James, was linked to using state money to build a house for him in Ibadan and purchase a Mercedes-Benz for his mother.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launched an investigation, prompting the Ekiti State House of Assembly to act.
The impeachment process saw twenty-four out of twenty-six lawmakers vote for his removal, along with his deputy, Biodun Olujimi. Fayose was notably absent during the proceedings, reportedly fleeing the country to avoid EFCC arrest.
In 2015, the Supreme Court overturned his impeachment, declaring it unconstitutional. Fayose returned to politics and won the governorship again in 2014.
4. Peter Obi
Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, was impeached on November 2, 2006. His removal was part of a larger political battle involving former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Obi was elected governor in 2007 but initially took office in 2003 after a court ruling.
His tenure was abruptly cut short in 2006 when the Anambra State House of Assembly impeached him. He was a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and his impeachment was widely seen as politically motivated. One key factor was political pressure.
Obasanjo reportedly warned Obi that he wouldn’t support his re-election unless he joined the PDP. The Assembly also accused him of misconduct, though many believed the process lacked due process and was influenced by external forces.
The impeachment itself was controversial. A group of lawmakers met secretly at dawn, claiming they had secured the necessary two-thirds majority to remove him. Obi challenged the decision in court, arguing that it was illegal and unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court later ruled in his favor, declaring the impeachment null and void. He was reinstated and served until March 2010.
READ ALSO: List Of Governors Of Ebonyi State And Their Deputies (1999-Present)
5. Joshua Dariye
Joshua Dariye’s tenure, from 1999 to 2007, was filled with controversy. The former Governor of Plateau State was impeached on November 13, 2006. In 2004, he was arrested in London for money laundering but resumed office after a state of emergency was lifted.
He was accused of sucking public funds. The Plateau State House of Assembly acted on a report from a panel set up by Acting Chief Judge Lazarus Dayken.
Political pressure was also instrumental. President Olusegun Obasanjo and the EFCC backed the impeachment as part of a broader anti-corruption campaign.
In October 2006, eight lawmakers issued an impeachment notice. However, only six assembly members carried it out, which the courts later ruled invalid.
Dariye challenged the process in court, arguing it was unconstitutional. The Court of Appeal ordered his reinstatement in March 2007, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court.
He returned as governor in April 2007, just before his term ended. After losing immunity, the EFCC prosecuted him for stealing over ₦1 billion from the state treasury.
In 2018, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison, later reduced to 10. In 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari granted him a pardon.
6. Murtala Nyako
Murtala Nyako, former Governor of Adamawa State, was impeached on July 15, 2014. He was first elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2012.
His time was controversial, with allegations of financial misconduct. The Adamawa State House of Assembly accused him of gross misconduct, specifically financial impropriety. An investigative panel found him guilty of all 16 allegations.
His impeachment was also seen as part of the political tensions before the 2015 elections. Eighteen out of 25 Assembly members voted to remove him from office. His deputy, James Ngilari, resigned before he could be impeached alongside him.
Nyako later challenged the impeachment in court, calling it unconstitutional. In February 2016, the Court of Appeal declared it null and void. However, the court refused to reinstate him since his term had already ended.
