How a Governor Can Be Constitutionally Impeached in Nigeria

Impeaching a governor in Nigeria is a serious and detailed process set by the constitution. This process is crucial for keeping leaders accountable and ensuring they can be removed from office if they engage in serious wrongdoing. 

It acts as an important check on power within the state governments, helping to ensure that governors meet their responsibilities and behave ethically.

The impeachment process is designed to be fair and thorough, providing a clear method for dealing with accusations against governors. 

It requires precise steps that must be followed carefully to protect the integrity of the office and ensure that any decision to remove a governor is just and based on solid evidence. 

Here are the steps involved in removing a governor from office:

Step 1Any allegations against a governor must be made in writing, specifying gross misconduct. This document needs to be signed by at least one-third of the members of the State House of Assembly and submitted to the Speaker of the House.

Step 2 The Speaker has seven days to distribute copies of the allegation notice to the governor and all members of the State House of Assembly.

Step 3 The governor has the opportunity to respond to the allegations, and this response is shared with all assembly members.

Step 4 Within 14 days of receiving the notice, the State House of Assembly must decide through a motion, without debate, whether the allegations should be investigated. This decision requires a two-thirds majority of all members to proceed.

Step 5If the motion does not get the necessary majority, the process stops immediately. If it does, the Speaker requests that the Chief Judge of the state appoints a seven-member panel of individuals with unquestionable integrity, who are not members of any public service, legislative body, or political party, to investigate the allegations.

Step 6The panel must report its findings within three months. During its proceedings, the governor has the right to defend himself, including being represented by a legal practitioner.

Step 7 If the panel reports that the allegations have not been proven, no further action is taken. However, if the allegations are substantiated, the State House of Assembly will consider the report and move to adopt it through a resolution.

Step 8The adoption of the resolution requires a two-thirds majority of all assembly members. If passed, the governor is removed from office from the date the report is adopted.