In Nigerian politics, the deputy governor’s seat has quietly become one of the most unstable chairs in government.
Imagine being elected by millions, sworn in with fanfare, only to discover that the office meant to support power can quickly become a political trapdoor.
Over the past 24 years, that reality has played out again and again—at least 17 times.
Since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999, no fewer than 17 deputy governors have been pushed out of office through impeachment, most of them casualties of bitter political fallouts rather than proven criminal wrongdoing.
The latest name added to this growing list is Philip Shaibu, the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, whose removal in 2024 marked the end of a long and bruising political struggle.
When Loyalty Turns To Liability
Shaibu’s story is familiar in Nigerian politics. Once a trusted ally, he eventually became a political inconvenience.
As ambitions shifted and alliances fractured, accusations of gross misconduct surfaced—an often-used phrase that has become synonymous with political divorce.
His impeachment followed a pattern Nigerians have watched repeatedly: disagreement at the top, legislative action below, and removal justified under constitutional cover.
The 1999 Constitution, under Section 188, provides the legal framework for impeachment.
On paper, it is a thorough and fair process. Allegations must be formally presented. The accused must be allowed to defend themselves. Lawmakers must follow laid-down procedures.
In reality, however, the process has often been weaponised—less about accountability and more about control.
A Familiar Pattern Across the States
From Lagos to Zamfara, deputy governors have fallen one after another:
Femi Pedro and Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele in Lagos
Iyiola Omisore in Osun
Chris Ekpenyong in Akwa Ibom
Abiodun Aluko and Biodun Olujinmi in Ekiti
Garba Gadi (late) in Bauchi
Peremobowei Elebi in Bayelsa
Sani Abubakar Danladi in Taraba
Jude Agbaso and Eze Madumere in Imo
Sunday Onyebuchi in Enugu
Ali Olanusi in Ondo
Simon Achuba in Kogi
Rauf Olaniyan in Oyo
Mahdi Aliyu Gusau in Zamfara
Philip Shaibu in Edo
Different states. Different years. Same ending.
In most cases, the charges followed political disagreements—defections, ambition clashes, loyalty disputes, or cold wars with governors who controlled the machinery of power.
When The Courts Step In
Not every impeachment, however, survived judicial scrutiny.
A significant number of these deputy governors fought back—and won.
Courts overturned the impeachments of Garba Gadi, Peremobowei Elebi, Sani Abubakar Danladi, Sunday Onyebuchi, Ali Olanusi, Jude Agbaso, Eze Madumere, Simon Achuba, Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, and most recently, Philip Shaibu.
Judges repeatedly ruled that due process was ignored or blatantly violated.
These rulings exposed a troubling truth: while impeachment is constitutional, its execution has often been anything but lawful.
The Bigger Picture
Beyond the names and numbers lies a deeper issue about Nigeria’s democracy. The deputy governor’s office, designed as a stabilising force, has instead become a pressure point—where ambition, loyalty, and survival collide.
For the public, these impeachments raise hard questions:
Is impeachment being used to protect democracy—or to punish dissent?
Is “gross misconduct” a legal standard—or a political slogan?
You May Like: Fubara: Full List Of Nigerian Governors Who Have Been Impeached Since 1999
As long as power struggles continue to define governance, the deputy governor’s seat may remain one of the most dangerous positions in Nigerian politics—a reminder that in the game of power, today’s partner can easily become tomorrow’s problem.
