On January 12, 2006, Governor Rashidi Ladoja of Oyo State was impeached, making him the second governor to suffer such a fate since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, following the impeachment of Diepreye Alamieyesegha.
What led to Ladoja’s impeachment?
Barely had the year 2006 begun when the then-governor of Oyo State Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja was impeached in very controversial circumstances, which was widely seen as having political undertones.
What led to the impeachment was a fallout between Ladoja and his political godfather, Chief Lamidi Adedibu, “the strongman of Ibadan politics,” who had significant influence in the state.
Under serious pressure from Adedibu and his cohorts, the Oyo State House of Assembly accused Ladoja of financial malfeasance and abuse of office. In spite of a court ruling that invalidated the impeachment process owing to procedural irregularities, the legislators went ahead.
Ladoja was replaced by his deputy and former policeman, Adebayo Alao-Akala.
Lodoja reinstated
However, 10 months later, in November 2006, Nigeria’s Supreme Court declared the impeachment illegal and reinstated Ladoja as Oyo State Governor. This saga underscored the persistent tussle between political influence and democratic governance in Nigeria.