By Aliu Akiim
Olusegun Osoba, a former governor of Ogun State, said on Tuesday that the main reasons why many presidents and governors refrain from giving their subordinates more authority are mistrust and suspicion.
At the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria’s Third Annual Conference, which was held in Abuja, the seasoned journalist voiced his worries.
These governance issues were brought to light at the event, which had as its theme “Strategic Solutions for Good Governance, Food Security and Sustainable Growth in Nigeria.”
Osoba said that although the situation is regrettable, it is a worldwide problem that is not exclusive to Nigeria or Africa.
Osoba said that although the situation is regrettable, it is a worldwide problem that is not exclusive to Nigeria or Africa.
The former governor used the political tense relationship between his principal, Bill Clinton, and former US Vice President Al Gore as an example.
“It is most unfortunate,” he said. It occurs all around the world, not only in Africa. You’ll remember the Bill Clinton and Al Gore case. He ran for president and Al Gore served as his vice president. However, he did not include Clinton in his campaign because he believed that he may be a liability.
Therefore, this problem is not exclusive to Nigeria. It is uncommon for a deputy to succeed their supervisor. For these people, there are still opportunities in this nation, though. As I previously stated, we are confident that one of the many young, Nigerian leaders we have witnessed at this conference will become president of this nation at some point.
Osoba also bemoaned the ongoing practice of governors scheming or supporting the removal of their deputies from office.
The politician said that there wasn’t much anyone could do to change the constitution to shield deputies from their higher-ups.
Once more, the constitution cannot be changed to prevent governors from using their authority and influence to remove their deputy governors.
There is nothing that anyone can do. The governor can try anything, including impeaching his deputy, if the State House of Assembly is on his side.
We should keep encouraging leaders to cultivate relationships. It is through a friendship rather than the law. You wash your hands with both your left and right hands, as they say—it’s a cooperative process,” he said.
Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, also offered his viewpoint, recognizing that many politicians are hesitant to address this contentious topic.
However, Ganduje lightened the mood by making a joke about how even God Almighty didn’t think about having a deputy when he created the world.
In order to improve the status of deputy leaders, the former governor of Kano expressed hope that parliamentarians will call for a constitutional review as a result of ongoing campaigning.
“The idea of deputizing is the same whether you are a vice president or a deputy governor,” he stated. This is a highly contentious idea.
God has no deputy, even in theology, due to its contentious character. God said that everyone is a servant, even His prophets. Thus, it’s still a problem that shouldn’t be addressed.
However, a leader does not decide whether to stay in office. A leader would need someone to guide the ship if they became ill at any point. Someone has to step in if the leader passes away. Nobody can do anything by themselves.
There is no biological difference between a governor and his deputy. It’s not because one was destined to be a deputy and the other a governor. Until the Constitution is reviewed, I believe we will keep debating this topic. Maybe certain clauses in support of deputy governors might be inserted.
