No fewer than 17 Deputy Governors have been ousted from office in the last 24 years, following a series of impeachments driven largely by political disputes.
The most recent victim, Phillip Shaibu, the sacked Deputy Governor of Edo State, became the 17th to be removed from office since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Shaibu’s removal marks the end of a prolonged battle to remain politically relevant in Edo State. His impeachment, like many before him, was rooted in political reasons, with claims of gross misconduct being cited.
According to Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, the removal of a governor or deputy governor from office is possible through impeachment.
The process starts with a written allegation of gross misconduct, to which the accused has a right to defend themselves. If the defence is successful, the accused remains in office; otherwise, they are removed. This section outlines in detail the steps and procedures required to carry out an impeachment.
List Of Impeached Deputy Governors
Since 1999, several deputy governors have been removed from office through impeachment. Below is a list of those who have faced this fate:
Femi Pedro – Lagos
Iyiola Omisore – Osun
Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele – Lagos
Chris Ekpenyong – Akwa Ibom
Abiodun Aluko – Ekiti
Biodun Olujinmi – Ekiti
Garba Gadi (Late) – Bauchi
Peremobowei Elebi – Bayelsa
Sani Abubakar Danladi – Taraba
Jude Agbaso – Imo
Sunday Onyebuchi – Enugu
Ali Olanusi – Ondo
Eze Madumere – Imo
Simon Achuba – Kogi
Rauf Olaniyan – Oyo
Mahdi Aliyu Gusau – Zamfara
Philip Shaibu – Edo
Of the 17 deputy governors who have been impeached, a few have successfully challenged their removals in court. Notably, the following individuals obtained court orders that nullified their impeachments:
Garba Gadi (Bauchi)
Peremobowei Elebi (Bayelsa)
Sani Abubakar Danladi (Taraba)
Sunday Onyebuchi (Enugu)
Ali Olanusi (Ondo)
Jude Agbaso (Imo)
Eze Madumere (Imo)
Simon Achuba (Kogi)
Mahdi Aliyu Gusau (Zamfara)
Philip Shaibu – Edo