• I remain the most fortunate VP ever, declares Osinbajo
• Jega faults ‘retrogressive’ criteria for choosing running mates
• I enjoyed a sound working relationship with Kwankwaso, Ganduje affirms
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has canvassed the inclusion of the roles of deputy governors in the Constitution to address incessant friction between the deputies and their principals.
Jonathan disclosed this, yesterday, at the public presentation of a book, ‘Deputising and Governance in Nigeria’, authored by Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
He also decried moves by governors to impeach deputies whenever they fail to agree on issues.
While admonishing deputy governors to remain loyal to their principals and not appear as know-it-alls, he stressed that a good working relationship between both, as well as between the country’s president and vice president, is vital to a functional democracy.
He, therefore, suggested that presidential and governorship candidates and their deputies or vice contest primary elections together.
This, he noted, will eliminate controversies that often trail the choice of deputy governors or vice presidents.
“If you look at the Constitution, the general role of a deputy governor is chairman of state boundary committee. The kind of problems we have with deputy governors and governors are not experienced at the National Assembly. Those ones are not pronounced because the deputy has clear responsibilities.
“Everything a deputy governor does depends on instructions from the governor. In some cases, it is so bad that if the governor is out of the state or country, and there are pressing issues to be attended to, the deputy still has to get permission from the governor, who is somewhere enjoying himself, before the issues are addressed.”
Jonathan, however, added: “Luckily for me, when I was a deputy governor, whenever my governor was out of town, I addressed things that should be addressed and represented him in matters of national interest, which is not so in all states.”
IN his remarks, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was Special Guest of Honour, described himself as the “most fortunate” person to hold the vice presidency in the country.
Paying glowing tributes to President Muhammadu Buhari, he maintained that the seats of governor and deputy, as well as president and vice president, are not only inseparable but also complement each other, as far as governance is concerned.
Osinbajo likened the duties of the president and the vice president to that of a pilot and co-pilot, charged with the responsibility of ensuring the safety of passengers aboard.
The presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, argued that a sound relationship between governors and their deputies, predecessors and successors, is anchored in the existence of mutual respect, trust, maturity and loyalty to one another.
Tinubu was represented by his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima.
THE author of the book, Ganduje, cautioned governors and their deputies, presidents and vice presidents, and other officeholders on the antics of sycophants and bootlickers.
Stressing that he enjoyed a sound working relationship with his former principal and predecessor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
He remarked that the history of the relationship between some governors and their deputies has been that of disloyalty, envy, betrayal, mistrust and ambition, adding that this has negatively affected the development of the people.
He said: “If you are deputising, you have to develop absolute loyalty at all times to your principal; the deputy practically demonstrates, convincingly, the capacity to support the chief executive in achieving set goals of his administration.
“Also, those deputising should be aware of sycophants and mischief makers, who may set up several traps, which if, triggered, might injure the good relationship with his principal.
“The deputy should also guard against wrong expectations, unreasonable political and material ambitions; and the need to improve their working relationship.”
The book reviewer and former Chairman of, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, faulted criteria for candidate selection in the formation of joint tickets in Nigeria
He wondered why the primary criterion for choosing a deputy, by most politicians, is “what can be called a marriage of convenience for winning.”
According to him, “it is just an opportunistic political expediency for winning votes and getting into power; it seems to be, predominantly, the case in Nigeria.”
Stressing the need for constitutional roles for vice president and deputy governor, Jega maintained that the frosty relationship between elected executives and their elected deputies has been unhelpful to the aspirations of Nigerians for democratic development and good governance.
He added: “There are no specific constitutionally defined responsibilities for the Office of the Deputy Governor or even the Vice President, which makes others think then can we amend the Constitution and provide specific responsibilities for these offices.
“And although elected on the same ticket, they literally serve at the pleasure of the person for whom they deputise.”
The HIGHLIGHT of the event was the unveiling of the book.
The event was graced by lots of dignitaries, including several deputy governors, the political class, owners of industries and media executives, including the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, of The Guardian Newspapers Limited, Mr. Martins Oloja.
Others were Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum; Kano State Deputy Governor and APC gubernatorial candidate, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna; Emir of Bichi, Nasiru Ado-Bayero; Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen and the former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Source: Guardian.ng
