Six impeached Deputy Governors by their respective Assemblies

On Monday, the Edo House of Assembly impeached Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu.

This action came after the adoption of the report from a seven-member investigative panel led by Justice Stephen Omonua (Rtd), appointed by Chief Judge Justice Daniel Okungbowa.

The panel found Shaibu guilty of disclosing official secrets.

Here are other instances of Deputy Governors being impeached by their respective Assemblies:

1. Ali Olanusi: Ondo’s Deputy Governor, Ali Olanusi, faced impeachment on Monday, April 27, 2015. This action came exactly one month after his defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives’ Congress (APC). Twenty-two out of the 26 Assembly members supported his impeachment.

2. Simon Achuba: Simon Achuba, the former Deputy Governor of Kogi, was impeached on Friday, October 18, 2019, in Lokoja, the state capital. His impeachment followed an investigation into allegations of gross misconduct, initiated by a committee appointed by the State Chief Judge, Justice Nasir Ajana. However, a State High Court later declared his impeachment null and void on Wednesday, February 26, 2020.

3. Rauf Olaniyan: On Monday, July 18, 2022, the Oyo State House of Assembly impeached former Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan following findings of guilt on all allegations against him. A panel constituted by the state Chief Judge, Munta Abimbola, investigated the allegations leveled by the lawmakers.

4. Garba Gadi: Former Bauchi Deputy Governor Garba Gadi was impeached on August 13, 2009. He was found guilty of impeachable offenses after a probe by a seven-man investigative panel of the Bauchi State House of Assembly. Despite his reinstatement by a court in Bauchi State on June 25, 2010, he faced a tumultuous period due to political disputes.

5. Mahdi Aliyu Gusau: Zamfara House of Assembly impeached Mahdi Aliyu Gusau as Deputy Governor on February 23, 2022. However, a Federal High Court in Abuja restored him to office on June 21, 2023, setting aside all actions taken by the Assembly and former Governor Bello Matawalle during the impeachment process.