In Nigeria, the courts have the power to impeach governors for a variety of reasons, such as incompetence, constitutional violations, or irregular election results.
A petition to the state's election commission or the judiciary normally starts the process of removing a governor. These bodies will then look into the charges and, if necessary, arrange a trial. In the end, the courts will decide whether or not to remove a governor from office.
AlphaEntertainmentz presents a list of governors who were sacked by Nigerian courts since 2012.
Ademola Adeleke
Ademola Adeleke was elected as "the people's choice" and, perhaps, won one of Nigeria's most enthusiastically applauded elections. Adeleke was inaugurated on November 27, 2022, following his victory in the state elections of 2022. While he was governor, a court challenged his victory over the outgoing governor, Adegboyega Oyetola. The court did, however, proclaim Oyetola the victor of the Osun State governorship elections on January 27, 2023.
Dave Umahi
The dismissal of Dave Umahi, announced on March 8, 2022, sparked an internal dispute inside Nigeria's judiciary. Due to their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on whose platform they were elected in 2019, to the All Progressives Congress, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed Mr. Umahi and his deputy, Kelechi Igwe (APC). After, Umahi filed an appeal, the court overturned the decision in October 2022.
Court sacks 5 governors simultaneously
On January 27, 2012, a seven-member bench of the Supreme Court concluded that Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Ibrahim Idris (Kogi), and Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto) were long past due in office.
Murtala Nyako
In a unanimous ruling issued by its entire panel, the supreme court maintained that former governors Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Ibrahim Idris (Kogi), and Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto) were required to leave their positions before May 29 of last year, highlighting the fact that this was in accordance with the provisions of section 180(2) of the 1999 constitution.
Chief Timipre Sylva
Ibrahim Idris
Aliyu Wamako
Election results for the five governors had been thrown out. New elections were held, and the governors sought judicial review of INEC's assertion that, notwithstanding the replays, their terms would expire on May 29, 2011.
