WHY IMPEACHMENT IS IMPOSSIBLE IN NIGERIAN STATES AND HOW GOVERNORS OWN ASSEMBLY MEMBERS, by KAA
People often ask:
“Why can’t the House of Assembly impeach a bad governor?”
“Why do governors behave like mini-presidents?”
“Why does no governor ever face consequences?”
“Why this and why that.”
Here is the truth nobody wants to say:
IMPEACHMENT IS IMPOSSIBLE. ASSEMBLY MEMBERS ARE PUPPETS.
NOT BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR IS STRONG,
BUT BECAUSE THE ASSEMBLY IS OWNED.
Let me show you how.
1. GOVERNORS FUND THE ELECTION OF MOST ASSEMBLY MEMBERS
Before election day:
-they choose the candidates
-they sponsor them financially
-they provide campaign vehicles
-they fund posters, media and logistics
-they “settle” party officials on their behalf.
So when these lawmakers win, who do they owe?
Not the people. The governor.
That loyalty is the root of the rot. This is why the more expensive elections are in Nigeria, the more puppets and thieves we elect into offices.
2. GOVERNORS CONTROL THEIR FIRST MONTH IN OFFICE
Immediately after inauguration, the governor decides:
-who becomes Speaker
-who becomes Deputy Speaker
-who chairs the “juicy” committees
-who controls oversight powers
-who gets recognized as “loyal”
This is where total control begins.
A lawmaker who fights the governor loses:
-committees
-allowances
-influence
-future tickets
-relevance
So they obey. Ask stubborn house members like our dear Maria Ude Nwachi what they suffered until they were kicked out.
3. THE ASSEMBLY’S BUDGET PASSES THROUGH THE GOVERNOR
Nigerians don’t know this:
The House of Assembly cannot access its own budget without the governor’s approval.
This means:
-salaries
-allowances
-office renovation
-staff payments
-constituency projects
-international trips
-even stationery and fuel
ALL go through the Executive.
Which lawmaker will dare impeach the person holding their oxygen pipe? Isn’t there a saying that he who pays the piper detects its tune?
4. GOVERNORS USE SECURITY VOTES TO BUY SILENCE.
Because security votes are un-audited cash, a governor can:
-“take care” of lawmakers quietly
-pay loyalty allowances
-fund political structures
-silence anyone raising questions
This is why you rarely see any lawmaker asking:
“Where is our security vote going?”
They are beneficiaries of the same system.
Their bulletproof cars are bought by the governor.
Their lavish lifestyle are sponsored by the governor.
5. THREATS, INTIMIDATION & POLICE POWER
A governor controls:
-the police commissioner
-the DSS director
-the state JTF
-local government chairmen
-town unions
-media in the state
-the judges in the state.
A lawmaker who tries to impeach a governor risks:
-arrest
-removal as Speaker
-suspension
-freezing of constituency funds
-blackmail
-physical intimidation
-and most definitely, no re-election.
Most of them simply don’t have the courage to risk any of these things.
6. PARTY LEADERSHIP WON’T ALLOW IT
A governor is the leader of the party in the state.
So if lawmakers attempt impeachment:
-the party intervenes
-national officers call them to order
-godfathers issue threats
-tickets for next election are withdrawn
-local party structures are dissolved.
In many cases, the impeachment attempt dies overnight.
7. EVEN IF THEY TRY, THE GOVERNOR “KICKS THEM OUT”
History shows that:
When lawmakers attempt impeachment,
governors quickly:
-sponsor a parallel faction
-break into the Assembly
-seal the chamber
-use police to chase lawmakers away
-reconvene with loyal members
-“impeach” the Speaker
-install a puppet
-kill the process
It happens in Nigeria repeatedly because the governor controls all the political structures and there’s so much in his hands to buy anyone, and mostly importantly, they are protected against other attacks by immunity.
So, a governor can literally lock out lawmakers and install a loyal Speaker within hours.
8. IMPEACHMENT NEEDS 2/3 MAJORITY. IMPOSSIBLE WHEN THE GOVERNOR OWNS 85%
To impeach a governor, you need:
Two-thirds of the entire House.
Most governors entered office with:
-22/24
-18/20
-15/17
-27/30
loyal members.
Even if 4 or 5 go rogue, nothing happens.
The math always favors the governor.
This is why:
-security votes disappear
-IGR evaporates
-local governments die
-contracts are inflated
-budgets are padded
-projects are abandoned
-states remain insecure
-corruption grows unchecked.
Governors rule like emperors because the institutions meant to check them have collapsed. The House Assembly Members are more like their employees.
THE REAL QUESTION WE MUST NOW ASK IS:
If lawmakers cannot hold governors accountable and the people cannot hold lawmakers accountable who is protecting the state?
The answer to this question is painful:
Nobody.
-KAA
Host of KaaTruths Podcast
#kaa_truths