Sim Fubara and Other Nigerian Governors Removed From Office, History, Reasons [FULL LIST]

Governor Similaye Fubara joins list of Nigerian governors removed from their office at certain periods of their governing terms.

History behind each governors removal from office and how they were removed, reinstated or permanently impeached.

The Fubara suspension saga isn’t a new thing ​in Nigeria’s political landscape. The removal of state governors from their offices has been part of Nigeria’s political history and has occurred through various mechanisms which include impeachments, court rulings, and declarations of states of emergency.

Daily Report Nigeria initiated an in-depth investigation of notable instances where Nigerian governors were removed from office, detailing their political journeys and the circumstances leading to their removal from office.

10 Nigerian Governors Removed from Office from 1999 till 2025

Joshua Dariye (Plateau State, 1999-2004)

Joshua Dariye was elected as the governor of Plateau State in 1999. However, his tenure witnessed a significant ethnic crisis that escalated into a political crisis and unrest. It happened that in May 2004, following an ethno-religious violence that resulted in casualties, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in the State. Dariye was suspended from office, and Major General Chris Alli (retired) was appointed as the sole administrator to restore peace and order.

Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State, 2003-2006)

Ayodele Fayoseegan his first tenure as the governor of Ekiti State in 2003. However, in 2006, he faced allegations of corruption and gross misconduct. The Ekiti State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings, citing financial misconduct. As a result, there was a lot of tension between the executive and the legislative arm. The heightened political crisis prompted President Olusegun Obasanjo to declare a state of emergency in the state and remove him from office on October 16, 2006. Obasanjo appointed Brigadier General Adetunji Olurin (retired) as the sole administrator.

Peter Obi (Anambra State, 2006-2006)

Peter Obi was elected governor of Anambra State in 2006. However, on November 2, 2006, he was impeached by the state House of Assembly on grounds of alleged gross misconduct. Obi challenged his impeachment in court and was reinstated on February 9, 2007, by the Court of Appeal, which found the impeachment process unconstitutional. Obi’s victory remains a landmark political case in Nigeria.

Celestine Omehia (Rivers State, 2007 – 2007)

In a dramatic twist of events, Celestine Omehia assumed office as governor of Rivers State in May 2007. However, in October 2007, the Supreme Court ruled that he was not the valid nominee of the PDP for the gubernatorial election. The court declared Rotimi Amaechi, who had won the PDP primaries but was replaced by Omehia before the general election, as the rightful governor. Omehia’s removal is one of the unresolved controversial debates on the influence of the judiciary in leadership appointments.

Oserheimen Osunbor (Edo State, 2007-2008)

Oserheimen Osunbor was elected governor of Edo State in 2007. His election was contested by Adams Oshiomhole of the ACN. In 2008, the Court of Appeal annulled Osunbor’s election, citing electoral irregularities, and declared Oshiomhole as the duly elected governor.

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Olusegun Oni (Ekiti State, 2007- 2010)

Olusegun Oni was elected governor of Ekiti State in 2007. His election was challenged by Kayode Fayemi of the ACN. In October 2010, the Court of Appeal nullified Oni’s election due to proven electoral malpractices and declared Fayemi as the rightful winner.

Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun State, 2003-2010)

Olagunsoye Oyinlola served as the governor of Osun State from 2003 until 2010. His 2007 re-election was contested by Rauf Aregbesola of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). After prolonged legal battles, the Court of Appeal, on November 26, 2010, annulled Oyinlola’s election and declared Aregbesola as the duly elected governor, citing electoral irregularities.

Murtala Nyako (Adamawa State, 2007- 2014)

Murtala Nyako, a former Chief of Naval Staff, was elected governor of Adamawa State in 2007 and re-elected in 2012. In 2014, he faced allegations of gross misconduct and financial mismanagement. The Adamawa State House of Assembly impeached him on July 15, 2014. Nyako challenged his impeachment, and in 2016, the Court of Appeal declared the impeachment process null and void, citing a lack of fair hearing, unfortunately, by that time, Nyako’s tenure had already ended.

Emeka Ihedioha (Imo State, 2019- 2020)

Emeka Ihedioha, a member of the PDP, was declared the winner of the 2019 Imo State gubernatorial election and assumed office as governor. However, on January 14, 2020, the Supreme Court of Nigeria annulled his election, declaring Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the rightful winner. The court claimed its decision was based on the exclusion of certain votes from 388 polling units in the initial tally. Ihedioha’s case sparked controversial debates in Nigeria’s governorship history.

Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State, 2025)

Siminalayi “Sim” Fubara who served as the Accountant General of Rivers State before being elected into the governor in 2023 was removed on March 18, 2025. His tenure was marred by internal conflicts within the PDP, especially between him and the 2G7 Amaewhule-led- legislative members.

Their unresolved crisis escalated into heightened tensions that drew the attention of the Federal government. In March 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Fubara, his deputy, and all state lawmakers for six months. This unprecedented move was claimed to be prompted by an unresolved political crisis and incidents of pipeline vandalism that threatened national economic stability. Tinubu appointed Retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the military administrator during the period. ​

This article exposes the dynamic complex nature of Nigeria’s politics and the power play associated with leadership. It is worthy to note that although some governors removals were justified by legal rulings, others were massively criticized as politically motivated. However, each is a reflection of the structure of democratic institutions and respect for the rule of law applicable at their times. It is also worthy to note that PDP has experienced a higher rate of governors removed from offices under their party. Seven notable instances has been recorded while APC has a lesser margin of governors removed with just two notable instances.