Murtala Nyako

Murtala Hammanyero Nyako (born August 27, 1943) is a retired Nigerian naval officer and politician who served as the Governor of Adamawa State from 2007 until his impeachment in 2014. He had a distinguished career in the Nigerian Navy, rising to the rank of Rear Admiral before transitioning into politics.

Early Life and Education

Murtala Nyako was born in Mayo-Belwa, Adamawa State (then Gongola State), Nigeria. He attended primary schools in Mayo-Belwa and Ganye, and later Provincial Secondary School, Yola. He joined the Nigerian Navy in 1963 and received his naval training at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, England.

Naval Career

Nyako's naval career spanned over three decades. He held various command and staff positions, including:

• Commanding Officer of NNS Niger
• Chief of Naval Operations
• Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command
• Military Governor of Niger State (1976-1977) during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo. He retired from the Navy in 1993 with the rank of Rear Admiral.

Political Career

Following his retirement from the military, Nyako ventured into business and agriculture. He became a prominent farmer and established several agricultural ventures.

Governorship of Adamawa State

Nyako entered partisan politics in the lead-up to the 2007 general elections. He successfully contested for the governorship of Adamawa State under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was sworn into office on May 29, 2007. His tenure was marked by political instability, including several legal challenges to his election and a brief period where his election was nullified, leading to an acting governor before he was reinstated and re-elected.

In 2013, Nyako, along with several other PDP governors, defected to the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC), citing internal party crises and irreconcilable differences with the PDP leadership.

Impeachment

In July 2014, Murtala Nyako was impeached by the Adamawa State House of Assembly on allegations of gross misconduct and financial impropriety. The impeachment process involved 17 allegations, including siphoning public funds, diverting resources, and abuse of office. Nyako vehemently denied the allegations, calling his impeachment politically motivated. His deputy, Bala James Ngilari, initially resigned before the impeachment, but his resignation was later deemed unconstitutional by a Federal High Court, which then ordered his reinstatement as governor.

Post-Governorship Activities

After his impeachment, Nyako largely remained out of the political limelight, occasionally commenting on national issues. He has continued to focus on his agricultural interests.

Personal Life

Murtala Nyako is known for his extensive involvement in farming and agricultural development. He is married and has several children. His son, Abdul-Aziz Nyako, has also served in the Senate of Nigeria.