Politics
Can the President Suspend a Governor? What’s the Nigerian Constitution
Many Nigerians often wonder: Can the President suspend an elected governor? The short answer is no. The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) does not give the President the power to suspend or remove a governor, no matter the situation. However, the President does have the power to declare a state of emergency in a state, but that doesn’t mean the governor automatically loses office.
What Powers Does the President Have?
Under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, the President can declare a state of emergency in a state, but only under specific conditions. These include:
If Nigeria is at war
If there is a breakdown of law and order that threatens national security
If a natural disaster or public danger occurs
If a serious public health crisis (like a pandemic) happens
If the state governor formally requests it, explaining why normal governance cannot continue
If the President believes the situation is serious enough to require emergency powers
Even when a state of emergency is declared, it must be approved by the National Assembly within:
Two days (if they are in session)
Ten days (if they are not in session)
If approved, the state of emergency lasts for six months and can be extended if necessary.
Can the President Remove a Governor?
No. The Nigerian Constitution does not give the President the power to remove or suspend a governor, even during a state of emergency.
Section 180(1) of the Constitution states that a governor can only leave office through resignation, death, permanent incapacity, or impeachment.
Section 188 clearly says that only the State House of Assembly can remove a governor through an impeachment process.
So, no matter how bad things get in a state, the President cannot just wake up and remove the governor.
What About Past Cases Where Governors Were Suspended?
Even though the law is clear, some past presidents have removed governors under a state of emergency, sparking legal and political debates.
1. Plateau State (2004) – Governor Joshua Dariye
What happened? Due to ethnic and religious violence, Obasanjo declared a state of emergency, suspended Governor Dariye, and appointed a military administrator.
Why was it controversial? The Constitution does not allow a president to suspend a governor. After six months, Dariye was reinstated.
2. Ekiti State (2006) – Governor Ayo Fayose
President: Olusegun Obasanjo
What happened? Fayose was accused of corruption. The state assembly’s impeachment process was chaotic, so Obasanjo declared a state of emergency, suspended Fayose, and installed a military administrator.
Why was it controversial? Many saw it as an abuse of power.
3. Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States (2013) – Boko Haram Insurgency
President: Goodluck Jonathan
What happened? Boko Haram attacks were escalating, so Jonathan declared a state of emergency in these states.
What was different? Unlike Obasanjo, Jonathan did not remove the governors—he only deployed military forces to restore order.
Jonathan’s approach was seen as more constitutionally compliant, while Obasanjo’s actions remain highly controversial.
The Bottom Line
The President can declare a state of emergency under Section 305 of the Constitution.
The President cannot suspend or remove a governor—only the State House of Assembly can do that (Sections 180 and 188).
While past leaders have tried to push the limits of their power, the law remains clear: an elected governor can only be removed by due process, not by presidential order.
Politics
Breaking: Diri Orders Autopsy on Bayelsa Deputy Governor’s Death, Warns Against Politicisation
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the state’s Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Governor Diri gave the directive on Saturday while receiving former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Government House in Yenagoa.
Reacting to the incident, the governor condemned what he described as widespread misinformation and speculation on social media, warning against any attempt to politicise the deputy governor’s death.
“I want to make an appeal. I have seen people politicise his death. In Ijaw land, there is no enmity in death. Let nobody politicise the passing of our dearly beloved deputy governor,” Diri said.
“If anyone truly loves him, this is the time to show it. I have directed that an autopsy be carried out to reveal the cause of his death. There is a lot of nonsense going on on social media.”
The governor further urged the public to focus on mourning and honouring the late deputy governor, noting that the state government had declared three working days of mourning in his honour.
“If anyone is issuing statements to eulogise him, let it end there. Let us mourn him because Bayelsa State is in a mourning mood,” he added.
Governor Diri also called for unity and love among the people, reminding them of the inevitability of death.
Speaking during the condolence visit, former President Goodluck Jonathan described the late Ewhrudjakpo as a committed and dedicated individual who played a key role in the activities of his foundation.
“For me, he was someone my foundation and I will never forget. He represented the governor in all our programs,” Jonathan said, adding that Ewhrudjakpo worked tirelessly in that role, even more than when he served as deputy governor.
The founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, has said he will never take part in partisan politics, not for even billions of naira.
He stated that no amount of money, including “$1 billion,” (1.4 Trillion naira) would make him join politics.
Oyedepo made this known during an impartation service at Shiloh 2025 held at the church’s headquarters in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State.
He explained that partisan politics is not part of his life’s calling and that is why he has chosen to stay away from it.
In his words: “In 2015, I warned the church that trouble was coming. Didn’t trouble come?
“Partisan politics is off my calling. If you give me $1 billion to join politics, I won’t, because it is off my course.”
The bishop also said the world is in urgent need of God’s intervention because of the times we are living in.
According to him, believers are being trained as an end-time army to bring solutions to national and global problems, similar to what biblical figures like Joseph and Daniel did.
President Bola Tinubu congratulates Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on his birthday, December 13.
President Tinubu celebrates with the Minister and former governor of Rivers State, giving thanks to God Almighty for enriching him with a life defined by purpose, service, and courage.
The President describes Chief Wike as an audacious top performer who defies obstacles and delivers results.
President Tinubu acknowledges the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory through infrastructure expansion, highlighting the Minister’s recent intervention that broke the 14-year logjam in the construction of the Apo-Karshi road.
The President commends Chief Wike for his resilience, can-do attitude, and commitment to excellence in all assignments.
President Tinubu thanks the Minister for his consistent efforts in delivering results and wishes him a happy birthday and strength to further his good work in the FCT.
“Nyesom Wike has been one of the shining stars in the cabinet, an exceptional performer, developing infrastructure in the Federal capital as never seen before and proving that his moniker as ‘Mr Project’ is not limited to his home state of Rivers.
“I commend him for being one of the champions of our Renewed Hope Agenda, even though he belongs to another party and wish him well as he marks another year in his life journey”.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
December 13, 2025
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