The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has described the role of Deputy Governor as the most controversial position within governance, both in Nigeria and globally.
His remarks came during a meeting held in Abuja with the Forum of former Deputy Governors who paid him a courtesy call.
During the meeting, Ganduje who once served as Kano’s Deputy Governor said, “There is no doubt the position of the Deputy Governor is the most controversial position in governance, not only in Nigeria but all over the world. Except in some nations where governors can contest in their own parties and the deputies can contest in another party, win the election and they work together. In Nigeria, it has to be the same ticket.”
He continued by drawing an intriguing analogy, “The position of the Deputy Governor as I always say is the most controversial position. That is why God has no deputy. Everybody is a servant. It is a no-go area. But we as humans, the constitution has to provide for it as a spare tire and we all know the importance of a spare tire. If you don’t need it when you are normal then you will need it when you are in trouble.”
Governor Ganduje also highlighted the challenges that Deputy Governors often face, particularly the issue of sycophancy.
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Acknowledging the complexities of the position, Governor Ganduje mentioned his intention to write a book on the topic and expressed his consideration of organizing a national conference to address the dynamics between Governors and their Deputies.
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“Deputy Governors will have to contend with one issue. The issue of sycophancy. As I always say, it is very easy to get it right as far as his boss is concerned. What I was trying to say was that our position was faced with difficulties.
“When you are walking with a governor, if you are walking so that you are going side by side, so that if he talks to you, you can hear him, and you talk to him he can hear you, sycophants would say you are rubbing shoulders.
“If you are in the front and there is any accident, or dangerous elements even snakes, and you say let it bite you first before biting your principal sycophants would say you have overtaken him. If you respect your principal and you stay behind, let him go front, sycophants would say you are developing a lukewarm attitude, therefore you are retreating.
“Now, tell me which position will you take? It is difficult. That is why I decided to write a book. Even up till now, that problem is still on. In fact, if it persists, we are trying to organize a national conference on the relationship between Governors and their Deputies”,
Among the notable attendees were former Deputy Governors including Abdulmalik Mahmood (Bauchi), Barr. Muktari Shehu Shagari (Sokoto), Dame Pauline Tallen (Plateau), Ali Abubakar Jatau (Borno), Prince Eze Madumere (Imo), Moses Alake Adeyemi (Oyo), Abdullahi Tijani Gwarzo (Kano), and the National Organizing Secretary of the APC, Sulaiman Argungu (Kebbi).