Nigeria row over sacked governor

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6058858.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Several high-ranking Nigerian officials have condemned the impeachment of a state governor for corruption.

Nigeria's most senior judge Modibbo Belgore described the procedure adopted in removing Ayo Fayose as illegal.

Justice Minister Bayo Ojo says the government viewed the move as unconstitutional, however, he failed to say what the government intends to do.

Critics of President Olusegun Obasanjo say his anti-corruption drive is a cover for a political witch-hunt.

Democracy in 'danger'

The Nigerian Bar Association says Mr Fayose's sacking was dangerous for the country's struggling democracy.

But other senior Nigerian lawyers say his removal reflected the "beauty of democracy".

Popular lawyer and human rights activist Gani Fawehinmi says he "wholeheartedly" supports the ex-governor's sacking.

"We are happy about the end result. Fayose's removal is good riddance to bad rubbish," Mr Fawehinmi said.

Following the impeachment, Nigeria's remaining 35 governors quickly met President Obasanjo and informed him that they would not accept Ekiti state's new Governor Friday Aderemi to their Governors' Forum.

Mr Adeyemi is the former speaker of the Ekiti state house of assembly and became the governor after he supervised the impeachment of Mr Fayose and his deputy, Biodun Olujimi.

Mr Fayose is the third governor to be impeached since Nigeria returned to multiparty democracy in 1999.

Two other governors are currently facing impeachment proceedings from their local legislatures over allegations of corruption.

Nigeria's anti-corruption agency says it is investigating two-thirds of the country's governors.

While Mr Fayose was being sacked, MPs in Anambra state began impeachment proceedings against Governor Peter Obi.

Early last week, Plateau state Governor Joshua Dariye was served with an impeachment notice in controversial circumstances that sparked riots in the central state.

Political tension is high in Nigeria ahead of elections due next April.