Criminal Politics: Violence, “Godfathers” and Corruption in Nigeria

control of the state government. The legislature largely ceased to function as a single
house. 172
At the end of 2005 the so-called “G-18” of pro-Adedibu lawmakers set about trying to
impeach Governor Ladoja. Their first attempt failed and resulted in an armed melee
on the floor of the State legislature. One pro-Adedibu lawmaker stabbed one of his
rivals with a knife and several others were also wounded; some lawmakers
reportedly drew firearms and fired into the air to ward off attackers from the
opposing camp. 173 The police made no arrests.
Just over one week later, armed policemen escorted the G-18 lawmakers to the State
House of Assembly for a second try at moving the impeachment motion. 174 An hourslong
gun battle erupted between the police and armed thugs supporting Ladoja who
sought to prevent the pro-Adedibu legislators from entering the House. At least one
civil servant was wounded in the crossfire and the fighting caused panic to spread
throughout Ibadan. 175
Eventually the G-18 legislators broke into the locked House of Assembly and voted,
on their own, to constitute a panel of inquiry to investigate allegations of misconduct
including corruption against Ladoja. Immediately following the vote a large group of
anti-Ladoja thugs stormed Government House and ran rampant through the
premises, looting and destroying the Governor’s office. Some of this was captured on
film by the thugs themselves. 176 The police made no arrests in connection with the
sponsorship of any of this violence. Three weeks later the G-18 voted unanimously to
remove Ladoja from office, replacing him with Deputy Governor and Adedibu loyalist
Christopher Alao-Akala.
172 Human Rights Watch interviews with legislators, journalists, and civil society activists, Ibadan, February 2007.
173 Human Rights Watch interview with Oyo State legislators, Ibadan, February 2007. See also “Nigerian state lawmaker
knifed as rivalry heats up,” Reuters, December 14, 2005.
174 Human Rights Watch interviews with Victor Olunloyo, Governor Ladoja, Deputy Governor Alao-Akala, Akin Oyedele, Punch
Correspondent, Ibadan, February 2007.
175 See Obafemi Afolabi, “Nigerian Governor Impeached After Bloody Feud,” Reuters News, January 12, 2006.
176 Private DVD, on file with Human Rights Watch.
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Human Rights Watch October 2007