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  • Forum for former deputy governors and new hope agenda

    Forum for former deputy governors and new hope agenda

    • Dele Olowu

    Rightly or wrongly, deputy governors have been memorialized in Nigeria as spare tyres. This caricature seems to have endured. The office thus produces mixed reactions from those who are asked to serve in that capacity. It is a matter of public record that beneficiaries in this space often get ill-used and are sometimes thrown into enough political grief to disable them for a lifetime.

    In spite of the fact that some are able to reincarnate and inaugurate new public and private careers for themselves, and never mind the fact that in one spectacular example, Goodluck Jonathan rose from being deputy governor to become president, many of them are so badly scarred , that the public itself treats them with mild disregard. Perhaps someday, in order to guarantee more protection, a deputy governor could in time become senate president. According to current in-house ranking, if a matter was passed to the office of the deputy governor, it meant the administration thought poorly of it and may in fact consider it dead. Deputy governors are thus amongst the most well-known martyrs of the Nigerian public service.

    Served martyrdom in office and frequently unable to help itself, it must therefore be a source of great elevation that this benighted but potentially powerful group has been able to come together under one banner to seek ways of promoting good governance in Nigeria. What really is the secret of the Lazarus experience for deputy governors and what does this portend for the Nigerian nation?

    The Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria in partnership with the Polish Nigerian Business Council, PNBC, and the Chambers of Commerce of Exporters and Importers of Poland (IGEI), convened for its 2024 conference on October 22 and 23, bringing together an outstanding range of political leaders, leaders of thought, front ranking academics and captains of industry from within and outside the country, to deliberate on important national concerns. The platform is unique as it enjoys the curious appreciation of an audience which has seen it migrate from relative somnolence to a position in which it now takes a vigorous and passionate interest in transforming the nation’s fortunes. In seeking to change the nation, the deputy governors it seems, have also substantially transformed themselves.

    The Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria FFDGN came into existence substantially through the assistance of President Jonathan several years ago. It has however only begun to enjoy the limelight, propped up by Alhaji Abdulmalik who has now handed over to Dr. Alozie the current chief executive. The platform is robust and enjoys a subscription across party lines. Much of the national prominence which the FFDGN currently enjoys is traceable to the labour of many patriots, but to none more than the current chairman, Chris Alozie Akomas, himself, one time deputy governor of Abia State.

    The theme of the conference was ‘Strategic Solutions for Good Governance: Food Security and Sustainable Growth in Nigeria’. The conference dwelt on effective governance and leadership practices, innovative solutions to food security, the development of policies and strategies for economic growth, the encouragement of synergy between current leaders and predecessors as well as promoting the president’s vision of renewed hope. The attendance was massive, and was an extremely pleasant surprise, given the status of former deputy governors as yesterday’s men and women. They included Dr Umar Ganduje, Arc Obong Victor B Attah, Chief Segun Osoba, and Alhaji Mukhtar Shehu Shagari. All of them spoke with great sensitivity for the Nigerian project and lent their support to President Tinubu’s response to current challenges. Ganduje, national chairman of APC weighed in with a fascinating analysis of the whole concept of ‘deputising’ or ‘deputy governorship’. He acknowledged that it had become a Nigerian conundrum, stating that the travails experienced by deputy governors could not be defended on rational grounds. The boss, he said enjoyed no moral or physical superiority. He emphasized that both governor and deputy had the same physical attributes and that the boss did not necessarily have superior intellect or acumen in any field. Sometimes, the deputy had the ace. The difference which made one person boss he said, was simply situational or a matter of constitutional prescription. His conclusion was that the unease in the relationship between boss and subordinate was without warrant. He then said it perhaps would help matters if there is a more definite description of function in the governance structure.

    Read Also: SDP deputy governorship candidate resigns

    The conference provided a great public opportunity for discussions on governance, policy innovations, insecurity in our nation, food security, socio-economic growth, as well as the role of former leaders in promoting national unity and progress. As security continues to concentrate minds, it was perhaps in order that the keynote address was given by Major General I.B Abdulsalami representing the Chief of Defence Staff. He offered assurances that the security agencies are committed to creating a peaceful environment in which development can take place.

    The event entertained a rash of profound papers, among which included Stabilising The Economy: Policies for Sustainable Growth and Development by Uche Uwaleke, a professor of capital market at the Nasarawa State University; Incumbents and Predecessors: Completing Projects and Sharing Ideas by Afolabi E. Olowokere; and, Ensuring Food Security: Taming the Challenges and Exploring Innovative Approaches in Agriculture by Professor Nuhu Gworgwor, Dean of the faculty of Agriculture, University of Jos. Together they produced a body of useful ideas and sparked off a stretch of excited discussions and produced important decisions about governance in Nigeria.

    The conference also had an international context as it was convened in partnership with the Polish Nigeria Business Council and the Chambers of Commerce of Exporters and Importers of Poland (iGEI) with which it signed an agreement.

    These are eminently interesting initiatives and will provoke both commentary and applause going forward. The level of group solidarity of former deputy governors in and out of office is simply amazing. Their unity, some might say, has been forged in the furnace of pain, a common experience for many of them. But the Former Deputy Governor’s Forum, has not been about self-help or self-promotion. Dr. Akomas, chairman of FFDGN emphasized in his welcome address that the forum is an active forefront participant in nation building.

    The conference produced revelations, some of them quite startling. In 1999 Nigeria had 3000 abandoned projects requiring $300 million to complete. Between 2019 and 2022, 40 abandoned projects alone required $20 billion to be completed. Furthermore 30% of Nigeria’s debts are currently accounted for by three abandoned projects. Ajaokuta has been abandoned for 45years; Mambilla for 42 years and Ikoyi Federal Secretariat for 41years.

    This bazaar of abandoned projects constitutes a huge drain on our commonwealth and this has been part of the impetus that continues to drive FFDGN into public action. It is important that the Forum is concerned about the disabilities which continue to bedevil the Nigerian project. The communique issued at the end called attention to several of them. It called for unity, for harmony amongst the tiers of governance, for greater security, for honesty, for more civic peace, for equity and for the development of institutional memory in our country.

    As people who have themselves come out of an experience in governance, will those in power listen to them? The forum is powered by a new idealism to help in rebuilding the Nigerian nation. There is a growing supportive emotion around rebuilding and the consensus which the forum enjoys on the matter means that it can be a useful and worthy labourer in this national task.

  • CBN redeploys deputy governors

    CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele has approved the redeployment of Okwu Joseph Nnanna from the Financial System Stability (FSS) Directorate to the Economic Policy Directorate.

    A statement by the Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department of the CBN, Isaac Okorafor, added that Emefiele equally approved the deployment of Mrs. Aishah Ahmad to the Financial System Stability (FSS) Directorate.

    Edward Lemetek Adamu has been assigned the portfolio of Deputy Governor, Corporate Services.

    The decision followed the assumption of duty of the two new Deputy Governors of the apex bank last month.

    Adebayo Adelabu, however, retains his portfolio as Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate.

    The statement said all the affected principal officers have since assumed duty in their new offices.

     

     

  • CBN Deputy Governors, MPC members resume

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) new Deputy Governors, Edward Lametek Adamu and Mrs. Aisha Ahmad have formally assumed duty following their confirmation by the Senate.

    Also, three members  of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the apex bank, Prof Adeola Festus Adenikinju, Dr. Robert Asogwa and Dr. Aliyu Rafindadi Sanusi were also at the CBN’s headquarters to formally commence their tenure.

    While welcoming the new Deputy Governors and MPC members, CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, just before they subscribed to the relevant Oaths of Office, congratulated them on their respective appointments by the president and subsequent confirmation by the Senate.

    Joined by Adebayo Adelabu and Dr. Joseph Okwu Nnanna, Deputy Governors in charge of Operations and Financial System Stability (FSS), respectively, Emefiele, expressed gladness that the bank now has its full complement of Deputy Governors to enable it operate optimally and get the required quorum to enable the MPC hold its statutory meetings for formulating monetary and credit policy.

    He urged the new appointees to bring their experience to bear in the discharge of their new responsibilities, stressing that much was expected of them.

    After they subscribed to their Oath of Office, administered by the Acting Director, Corporate Secretariat at the CBN, Mrs. Alice Karau, the Director, Monetary Policy Department (MPD), Moses Tule, read out the Charter of the MPC to the new members before they retired into their maiden MPC retreat, preparatory to the first MPC meeting for 2018 scheduled to hold on Tuesday and Wednesday, next week.

  • Deputy governors challenge cleric over doomsday prophecy

    Deputy governors challenge cleric over doomsday prophecy

    Deputy  governors of Abia, Ebonyi, Kano, Sokoto and Taraba states have  rejected a prophecy that they will have issues with their principals (governors) before the end of their tenure.

    The prophecy which was credited to Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, the Spiritual head of INRI Evangelistic Spiritual Church, the deputy governors said was meant to create rancor and disaffection in the polity.

    The self-acclaimed prophet had in the prophecy said that the four deputy governors will have issues with their principals (governors) before the end of their tenure.

    An online news platform had at the weekend published the prophecy in which the cleric made certain wild assertions concerning the future of these politicians.

    But in a swift reaction, Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr Kelechi Igwe has described the publication as outright falsehood designed to create rancour and disaffection in the polity.

    In a statement he issued in Abuja  on behalf of his  other colleagues, Igwe  faulted  the cleric  on his prediction and accused him of concocting prophecies that had no foundation in reality.

    “Ordinarily, we would have ignored this so called prophecy   but doing so could create the impression that we believe him or that that he should be taken seriously.  We make bold to state that this prophecy like the ones before it are fallacies meant to create tension, rancour and unnecessary friction in the polity. We vehemently reject this so called prophesy which in our own estimation is nothing but a figment of the imagination of the man who released it.

    “We all have had and still have very good working relationship with our bosses in our various states and do not see any reason for the predicted crisis.  We urge the government and the good people in our various states to ignore Primate Elijah Ayodele for he knows not what he is saying or doing.

    “Primate Ayodele could not have heard from God because he has been in the business of releasing false prophecies at every turn in the politics of Nigeria and the world.  It was he who predicted that President Goodluck Jonathan will win the 2015 presidential election; it was he who predicted that Governor Ahmed El- Rufai will not win the governorship election in Kaduna State last year and it was the same man who recently predicted victory for Hilary Clinton, the Democratic Party candidate in the just concluded elections in the United States,” he said.

    Igwe  said that  with the series  of failed  prophecies  emanating from  the clergyman,  he should  be hiding his face from God and the general public, adding that he lacked   the credibility to utter  any further “gibberish”   in the name of prophecy.

  • Ganduje frowns at frequent impeachment of speakers, deputy governors

    THE rate at which Speakers of State Assemblies and deputy governors are impeached shows that the nation’s democracy is still immature, Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said yesterday.

    Ganduje, who spoke during a dinner organised in honour of Speakers of 19 Northern State Assemblies at Africa House, Government House, Kano, lamented that the rate of such impeachments was a setback for the nation’s democratic setting.

    “The frequency at which Speakers and deputy governors are removed like underwear is not the best. Somebody was impeached from his office as deputy governor because he managed poultry within his official residence,” the governor said.

    He noted that such excuses were not enough to warrant impeachment.

    Saying that democracy should revolve around issues not trivialities, Ganduje advised state legislators, especially Speakers, to synergise with the Executive to bring about development in the country.

    The governor urged the Northern Speakers Conference to step up efforts to tackle the common problems facing the region, particularly the issue of Almajirai, educational backwardness, compulsory primary education, economic backwardness, unemployment and conflicts.

    Ganduje stressed the need for northerners to strengthen their unity to address issues affecting the region and map out ways of contributing more positively to national development.

    The Chairman, Northern Speakers Conference and Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdulkarim Lawal, said the forum would deliberate on issues of socio-economic development affecting the region.

    He, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government to give special attention to the Northeast geopolitical zone because of its peculiar challenges, mainly insecurity.

    The Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Kabiru Alasan Rurum, stressed the need for governments and legislatures in the North to design policies, taking into cognisance their implications to the overall regional and sub-regional development.

    In a two-page communiqué by Adamu Dala Dogo, acting chairman of NSF and Speaker of Yobe State House of Assembly; Salisu Ibrahim Muhammad, Chairman, Information Committee of Kano State House of Assembly and which was read by Sunusi Garba Rikiji, Speaker, Zamfara State House of Assembly, the Northern Speakers Conference resolved to uphold the region’s unity and socio-economic growth.

     

  • Deputy governors as spare tyres

    Deputy governors as spare tyres

    The 1999 Constitution does not give any responsibility to the deputy governor. The governor may, however, deem it fit to assign some duties to him. In some states, the deputy governors oversee the affairs of some ministries. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE, who revisists the tension between governors and their deputies, highlights factors that may foster cordial relations and make them partners in progress.  

    What role for deputy governors

    The position of the deputy governors has always been derided because they exist at the mercy of their principals.

    Inthe last dispensation,  governors and their deputies worked at cross purposes, leading to bitter rivalry and conflicts. In Ondo, Rivers, Ogun, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, Oyo, Sokoto Ssates, the dispute assumed an alarming proportion.

    Analysts believe the development is dangerous for democracy. It has led to suspicionn  and disequilibrium in peace building. This has often led to ethnic and religious division. In some instances, members of the House of Assembly were instigated to impeach deputy governors without forming a quorum.

    Former Kaduna State Governor Balarabe Musa said the rancour has its root in the perceived ambition of deputy governors to succeed their bosses. He said ambitious deputies always attempt to overshadow their principals to gain political mileage.

    He said: “What they do is against the public interest and cannot help in bringing development. The party has also not help matter because it has not specified how the deputy and the governor should relate, this brings indiscipline. Until parties enforce discipline on their member holding public office, the trend will not change.’’

    The Convener of the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform (CODER), Mr. Ayo Opadokun, said some deputy governors go beyond their constitutional briefs. He explained that if they are loyal to their bosses, there will be no rivalry.

    He said: ‘The constitution grants the power to allocate responsibilities of the state to the governor. People almost have ignorant impression about the function of the deputy governors. It is the governor who has the right to appoint anybody who comes as his running mate.

    “Most deputy governors often fail to understand their constitutional limitations. They try to compete with their principals; they forget that there are no two captains in a ship. The bone of contention between the governors and their deputies is the ambition of the deputy governors to succeed their principal.

    ‘’This will lead to strained relationships between them, except they agreed on the matter. If such a development comes up, he will be suspicious on every activity of the deputy governor.  This brings to mind what happened between former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu and his deputy, Kofoworola Akelere-Bucknor. It also happened between Tinubu and Femi Pedro, all the claim to their quarrel has been traced to the misunderstanding of their roles.”

    He added that where the deputy remains loyal and play the role assigned to him, there will be no reason for conflict. He cited the case of former deputy of Lagos State Sarah Sosan who took charge of Ministry of Education allocated to her and excelled.

    He said former Governor Babatunde Fashola allocated the ministry to Sosan because of her adequate knowledge on the sector, noting that this is also the case in some other states where deputy governors have been assigned specific portfolios in the cabinet by their principals.

    Some of the deputy governors who were sworn-in alongside their principals on inauguration day on May 29 include:

    Lagos State: Dr. Aderanti Adebule

     

    She was the Secretary to the Lagos State government under former Governor Babatunde Fashola between 2011 and 2015. The deputy governor was born to the family of Idowu Esho of the Ojo Alaworo in Ojo Local Government Area (LGA). She holds a Ph.D in Education from the Lagos State University. The former lecturer began her working career at the Lagos State College of Primary Education. She was appointed a commissioner in the Lagos State Post Primary Teaching Service Commission by the former Governor Tinubu from 2000 to 2005.

     

    Ogun State: Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga

     

    The 54 -year old deputy governor hails from Ijebu Igbo, Ogun East Senatorial District. She replaced Prince Segun Adesegun, who defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). She was the Director of Finance and Administration in the Lagos State Ministry of Environment.

    Her nomination to become the running mate to Governor Ibikunle Amosun was to give all sections of the state good representation and sense of belonging.

     

    Rivers State: Dr. Ipalibo Banigo

     

    She had her secondary education at Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos, between 1964 and 1968 and returned to the same institution for her Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1970. She obtained Division One in her West African School Certificate (WASC) and passed her HSC with distinction.

    The deputy governor later proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where she qualified as a medical doctor in 1976. She later attended Harvard University School of Public Health, where she obtained her Masters Degree in 1981. She served as acting Commissioner for Health and Welfare, Director General, Rivers State Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

    She served as a member of the Governing Council, University of Calabar, as well as that of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital. The deputy governor has received local and international honours, because of her distinguished service in the health sector.

     

    Enugu State: Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo

     

    A lawyer by training, Mrs. Ezeilo was married to Chief Malachi Ezeilo, now deceased. She served as Commissioner for Works in the old Anambra State, where she had her first exposure to public service. She was later elected into the Enugu State House of Assembly in 2011.

    At the House, she was Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, where she brought her training as a lawyer to bear. For instance, she adopted the alternative dispute resolution mechanism, which helped in resolving major crises arising from numerous public petitions.

     

    Imo State: Eze Madumere

     

    Madumere was born in 1964 to the royal family of Henry Madumere of Achi Mbeiri, Mbaitoli. He had his primary and secondary education in Owerri and Lagos respectively, after which he went to the United States of America for further studies.

    He had B.Sc Business Administration from San Jacinto College, University of Houston, Texas and worked as the Area Manager of Channel Development for 13 years in the United States. He is a media strategist and astute administrator.

     

    Abia State: Emeka Ananaba

     

    Ananaba was born March 31, 1945, at Obegu, now Ugwunagbor LGA of Abia State. The deputy governor attended St. Peter Primary School Obegu between 1951 and 1959. He began his military career after his secondary education in 1964, when he enrolled in the Nigerian Air Force Military Training School, Kaduna.

    He was commissioned in 1965 into the Air Force. He fought the civil war on the Biafran side. After the war, he went to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1977 and graduated as a pharmacist.

     

    Anambra State: Nkem Okeke

     

    He served as Commissioner for Economic Planning, and later, Works and Transport under former Governor Peter Obi.  Having served in that capacity, he went back to the Nnamdi Azikwe University (Unizik), Awka to continue his lecturing job.

    He was in the United States on vacation when the lot fell on him to become the running mate to the Governor Willie Obiano on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2013. He holds a Ph.D in Monetary Economics and he was until his appointment the Head of Department of Economics, Unizik.

     

    Delta State: Kingley Otuaro

     

    Otuaro, a lawyer, is from the Urhobo ethnic group. His record in public service has been amplified by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). As a thorough bred politician, he identifies with the Urhobo nation, particularly during social engagements.

    An accomplished gentleman, like Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, his respect for procedure and cultural values will be brought to bear during his tenure as the deputy governor. The Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) supported him during the election, and that gave the PDP victory.

     

    Bayelsa State: John Jonah

     

    Jonah attended St. Luke Primary School, Nembe, Bayelsa State from 1959 to 1965 and Nembe National Grammar School, between 1969 and 1973. He proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1974 to train as a naval cadet. He later went to Britannia Royal College, Dartmouth, England.

    He went to National Engineering College, India to study Naval Engineering between 1981 and 1982. The deputy governor attended junior and senior courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, where he won prizes for his outstanding performance.

     

    Osun State: Mrs. Titilayo Tomori-Laoye

     

    Mrs. Tomori-Laoye holds a Master in Public Administration (MPA) degree. She doubles as the Osun State Commissioner of Education. Born in Osogbo, she had her secondary education at St. Catherine Girls Grammar School, Iwo and at Victory College, Ikare.

    She attended the University of Lagos and obtained BA History in 1973. She began her career as an administrator at the University of Lagos where she was appointed Assistant Registrar. She served as the Faculty Officer at the faculties of Sciences and Education. She has been recognised for her promotion of girl-child education and gender balance.

     

    Ondo State: Lasisi Oluboyo

     

    Oluboyo replaced the impeached deputy governor, Ali Olanusi, who was recently impeached for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Oluboyo was the Commissioner for Agriculture before his appointment. The endorsement for the job by members of the Ondo State House of Assembly was overwhelming.

     

    Kogi State: Yomi Awoniyi

     

    Awoniyi had served as an administrator under the administration of Idris Wada before he became the deputy governor. He was born in 1960 into the family of Sunday Awoniyi. A graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University, where he read Architecture and proceeded the University of London for further studies.

    He is a member of different professional bodies. He had served as pioneer board member of the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority. He was the chairman of the Investment Committee and in 2005 he served in the Management Board of the University Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State.

     

    Kebbi State: Ibrahim Aliyu

     

    He served as the Military Administrator in 1993 to 1996 during the administration of General Sani Abacha.  He had taken part in some epoch-making events in the state, such as leading a delegation to the Emir of Gwandu’s Palace to pay him a courtesy call.

     

    Kwara State: Peter Kisira

     

    Kisira is from Baruden LGA. He played major a major role in the emergence of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed during the election that brought the administration to power in 2011. The astute politician is formidable at his constituency and Kwara State in general.

    He had embarked on key projects that put his profile on the limelight. A seasoned administrator and grassroots mobiliser, Kisira made impact during the 2015 election, by delivering his constituency to the party.

     

    Yobe State: Abubakar Aliyu

     

    A seasoned administrator, Aliyu was born in 1966 in Yola. He had his early education at the Central Primary School, Jimeta in 1973 and proceeded to Government Science Secondary School, Monguno, Borno State in 1984. He later obtained Higher National Diploma (HND) from Kaduna Polytechnic in the field of Civil Engineering.

    He joined the civil service in 1987 as Project Engineer in the former Borno State. With the creation of Yobe State, he was promoted to the rank of Managing Director, Housing and Property Development Corporation. He is a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

     

    Kano State: Hafiz Abubakar

     

    Abubakar was nominated as running mate to Governor Umar Ganduje prior to the recent general elections. He had served as a Deputy Vice Chancellor at the Bayero University, Kano. He was born on November 1954. As deputy Governor, he would double as the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology.

    He had his higher education at the Kaduna Polytechnic, Queen Elizabeth College, the University of London, and the University of Reading, United Kingdom. He is a fellow Nigerian Institute of Food, Science and Technology, United Kingdom. He has many publications to his credit both in local and international journals.