ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Since the restoration of democracy in 1999, Nigeria has witnessed a number of impeachments of state governors according to investigations conducted by voiceofnaija.ng.
A total of 17 governors have faced impeachment proceedings so far.
Impeachment, a constitutional process, allows for the removal of an elected official from office due allegations of gross misconduct, as outlined in Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which details the process for the removal of governors and Deputy Governors through impeachment.
Also, the process entails lodging a written allegation of gross misconduct against the accused, who then has the opportunity to defend themselves. If the defence is unsuccessful, the individual is removed from office.
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The most recent addition to this list is Phillip Shaibu, the ousted Deputy Governor of Edo State, marking the 17th removal from office in the past 24 years.
Shaibu’s journey mirrors a pattern of turmoil and struggle within Edo’s political landscape, as observed over the years with other Deputy governors.
Among those impeached since 1999 are notable figures such as Femi Pedro of Lagos, Iyiola Omisore of Osun, and Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, of Lagos, Abiodun Aluko of Ekiti, and Biodun Olujinmi of Ekiti.
Others are, Late Garba Gadi of Bauchi, Peremobowei Elebi of Bayelsa, Sani Abubakar Danladi of Taraba, Jude Agbaso of Imo, Sunday Onyebuchi of Enugu, Ali Olanusi of Ondo, Eze Madumere of Imo, Simon Achuba of Kogi, Rauf Olaniyan of Oyo, Mahdi Aliyu Gusau of Zamfara, and Philip Shaibu of Edo.
However, some Deputy Governors, including Gadi, Elebi, Danladi, Onyebuchi, Olanusi, Agbaso, Madumere, Achuba and Gusau, have successfully obtained court orders setting aside their impeachments.
Despite this legal victory, none have been reinstated to their former positions.