Former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, emphasized that suspicion and a lack of trust hinder many presidents and governors from passing leadership roles to their deputies. He made these remarks during the 3rd Annual Conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria in Abuja, which focused on “Strategic Solutions for Good Governance, Food Security and Sustainable Growth in Nigeria.”
Osoba described this governance challenge as a global issue, not limited to Nigeria or Africa. He referenced the political strain between former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and President Bill Clinton, noting that Gore’s decision to exclude Clinton from his campaign was driven by concerns over potential liabilities.
“It is unfortunate,” Osoba stated. “It’s not just in Africa—it happens all over the world. Rarely do deputies succeed their superiors. However, Nigeria boasts many young and passionate leaders, and it is only a matter of time before one of them ascends to the presidency.”
He raised concerns about the troubling trend of governors seeking to impeach their deputies, pointing out limitations in constitutional amendments to protect deputies from such actions. “If the State House of Assembly aligns with the governor, they can easily proceed with impeachment,” he remarked.
Osoba urged leaders to focus on building strong relationships rather than relying solely on legal frameworks, stating, “It’s about cooperation.”
Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, also acknowledged the sensitive nature of the discussion surrounding deputy roles. He humorously noted that even divine creation lacked a deputy, likening this to the broader controversy of deputy positions in governance.
Ganduje expressed hope that ongoing discussions would encourage lawmakers to seek constitutional reviews aimed at bolstering the positions of deputy leaders. “The concept of deputizing is highly controversial,” he stated. “A leader’s continuity in office is unpredictable; if a leader becomes incapacitated, someone must be ready to step in. No one can govern alone.”
He concluded by suggesting the need for a constitutional review that could better define the roles of deputy governors, paving the way for future stability and leadership continuity.
