AMOSUN, ONANUGA AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN OGUN


By Wole Elegbede


The relationship between governors and their deputies in Nigeria may be dicey as it is sometimes contentious. The two executives in the corridors of power are elected into office in a joint ticket under the constitution. It is expected that the two personages will function in conformity with the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and cooperate in the overall interest of the state.


In some situations, the relationship between governors and their deputies do work out as expected. In others, it is less than cordial. In the latter case, governance is trampled upon on the altar of ego, ambition and enlightened self-interest of the actors. Naturally, this breeds dirty politics, with debilitating effects on democracy and the welfare of the people.


There appears to be a misunderstanding amongst concerned Nigerians about the role of Deputy governors in the ongoing democratic experiment, though such role is defined by the constitution. Under Chapter 6, Part 2, Section 193 of the 1999 constitution with the title "Executive Responsibilities of Deputy Governor and Commissioners", the role of the deputy governor is defined as follows: "The Governor of a State may, in his discretion assign to the Deputy Governor or any Commissioner of the Government of the State responsibility for any business of the Government of the State, including the administration of any department of Government".


The Deputy Governor shall also assist the governor to coordinate the activities of government and advice "the governor generally in the discharge of his executive functions, other than those functions with respect to which he is required by this constitution to seek advice or act on the recommendation of any other person or body"


From the above, it could be discerned that there is no specific role for deputy governors under the constitution. This is as far as the constitution wants the Deputy governors to function. For not providing a specific role, the framers of the Nigerian constitution may have something in mind: To prevent a struggle in the steering of the ship of the state between the governor and the deputy governor. According to an old English phrase, a ship can only have one captain. This phrase has been explained succinctly by Gordon Tredgold: "When it comes to leadership, I often hear the phrase a ship can only have one captain, because when we have more than one we can end up with two different destinations, which can then lead to confusion, conflict and failure". However, a constitution is made for the people for the betterment of society and not the other way round. The governors of each state in their wisdom may decide to give specific functions to their deputies in as much as such functions do not contradict the constitution.


While nothing is wrong with the above old English phrase, Ogun State has learnt from another phrase: Two heads are better than one. The governor of the state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, is the chief exponent of this virtue and it has been applied with vigour to deliver dividends of democracy to the people. Working together in governance and respecting their joint ticket and the constitution, Senator Amosun and his Deputy, Chief Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, have continued to steer the ship of the state in the right direction.


Little wonder when Chief Mrs. Onanuga recently celebrated her 57th birthday, it turned out as a superlative celebration. It was marked at the weekly state executive council meeting in order to showcase her loyalty which has provided a basis for good governance, stability, development and progress of the state.


Speaking at the meeting, Senator Amosun said: "History will speak of her selfless service towards engendering development of the state". Others who spoke at the meeting included the wife of the governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Olufunso Amosun, Secretary to the state government, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, Head of Service, Mr. Abayomi Sobande, and they all emphasised the attributes of the celebrant- selflessness, humility and sincerity of purpose.


Responding, Chief (Mrs.) Onanuga described the governor as her mentor in leadership while her husband, Chief Biodun Onanuga assured the governor of his wife's continuous support towards the success of the administration.


Governor Amosun and his deputy could be seen from the lenses of many observers as builders of democracy and development in Ogun State. They were elected into power on the basis of five cardinal objectives spelt out in the document "Mission to Rebuild Ogun State". The five cardinal programmes of the administration are: Affordable Qualitative Education; Efficient Health Care Delivery; Increased Agricultural Production and Industrialisation; Affordable Housing and Urban Renewal; Rural and Infrastructural Development cum Employment Generation.


Undoubtedly, the duo have ensured that every executed projects conform with "Ogun Standard" to demonstrate the high ethical and international standards of things done by government. In continuation of efforts to consolidate quality and affordable education, the governor, his deputy governor and other relevant members of the cabinet undertook a trip to Ipokia the day the deputy governor's birthday was marked. Choosing to go to Ipokia for an important function rather than retire to a party had sent the message that they were ready for a call to duty at anytime and that the administration did not play to the gallery by marking Madam Deputy Governor's birthday at the state's executive chambers. The trip was undertaken to flag off the relocation and construction of projects of the newly relocated Ogun State Polytechnic in Ipokia. This was in fulfilment of one of the promises of the administration to relocate the polytechnic in the town after the conversion of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic in Abeokuta (MAPOLY) to Moshood Abiola University of Technology (MAUTECH) early this year.


There are certain occasions that Senator Amosun may not be able to attend due to other engagements. One is elated to see Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga attend such functions either in the state or national level. If a governor like Senator Amosun will allow his deputy to attend meetings with other state governors or the National Council of State meeting at the Presidency in Abuja, it shows the quality representation by her deputy as well as the level of trust and confidence reposed in her. To be sure, there are some governors who do not allow their deputies to represent them at such high level functions.


On the whole, the onus is on both the governor of a state and the deputy governor to ensure healthy and robust relationship between them. Here, Amosun and Chief (Mrs.) Onanuga have done well. Mrs. Onanuga has demonstrated loyalty at all times while Amosun has extended high regard to her. The bond in Ogun State is clearly a success story and a model in the reign of governors and deputy governors under the current democratic dispensation.


* Elegbede, a public affairs analyst, sent the write-up from wolegunstate@gmail.com

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