The Struggle for Loyalty: Deputy Governors in Nigeria
Deputy governors in Nigeria have long faced the challenge of maintaining their relevance, regardless of the political decisions made by their principals. This struggle has been a recurring theme in the country’s political landscape, with several instances highlighting the tension between governors and their deputies.
One of the earliest recorded cases of this conflict dates back to May 1981, when Alhaji Bibi Farouk, the deputy governor of Kano State, found himself under fire for his refusal to align with his boss, Governor Abubakar Rimi. Farouk’s insistence on charting a different course led to his impeachment, setting a precedent for future disputes.
This historical event bears striking similarities to the current situation in Kano, where an impeachment notice has been served on the deputy governor by the state’s House of Assembly. In both cases, the actions of the state legislatures were driven largely by political differences between the governors and their deputies.
In the case of Farouk, the rift occurred within their party, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). Farouk chose to side with the Aminu Kano faction known as ‘Tabo,’ while Rimi remained aligned with the ‘Santsi’ faction. The state House of Assembly, dominated by the governor’s loyalists, ultimately impeached Farouk, leading to the appointment of Audu Dawakin Tofa as his replacement.
Recent Impeachment Cases
The current situation involves Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was elected on a joint ticket with his deputy, Aminu Abdulsalam, under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in 2023. However, early this year, Governor Yusuf defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), leaving his deputy and other supporters of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso behind.
Although the Kano Assembly has cited other reasons for serving the deputy with an impeachment notice, it is clear that the move was triggered by his refusal to join Governor Yusuf and other lawmakers in defecting to the APC in January.
Impeaching deputies who refuse to defect with their governors has become a recurring theme in Nigeria’s democratic dispensation. On August 13, 2009, Alhaji Muhammad Garba Gadi, the deputy governor of Bauchi State, was impeached by the State House of Assembly. Although he was accused of gross misconduct, it was widely known that his removal was due to the then-governor, Isa Yuguda, defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
Thirteen years later, the same fate befell Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, the deputy governor of Zamfara State, who was impeached on February 23, 2022. Similarly, although he was accused of misconduct, the action was instigated by his refusal to join the APC after the governor, Bello Matawalle, defected from the PDP.
Political Rivalries and Deputies’ Resignations
Other instances of rifts between governors and their deputies include the case of Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the deputy governor of Bayelsa State, who almost faced impeachment when he hesitated to move to the ruling party with his boss, Douye Diri. Sensing the risk of losing his seat, Ewhrudjakpo preemptively sought a restraining order from the court. Unfortunately, he passed away before the issue could be resolved.
The frequency of such conflicts has raised questions about the underlying causes. Despite being paired on a particular platform, governors and their deputies often find themselves at odds. In old Benue State, Governor Aper Aku had a running battle with his deputy, Isa Odoma, even before their inauguration. Odoma was not Aku’s choice for the position but was presented to him by the Igala people.
The Evolution of Trust
Over time, the trust between governors and their deputies has eroded. No governor is willing to take a chance on what their deputy might do if the political tides shift against them. This has led to situations where governors and their deputies are seen as two captains in a boat.
Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, the deputy to Bola Ahmed Tinubu as governor of Lagos State, made it clear that their pairing was a mismatch. After over three years of an uneasy relationship, she preempted an impeachment move and resigned her position.
In Abia State, Enyinaya Abaribe faced multiple impeachment attempts during his tenure, eventually resigning to avoid further harassment. In Plateau State, Michael Bot-mang shifted loyalty to the camp of then-deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, when his boss, Joshua Dariye, was impeached.
Legal Interventions and Court Decisions
In many instances where deputies challenged their removals in court, the courts restored their seats. For example, in the cases of Gusau and Gadi, the courts ruled in favor of the deputies. Similarly, when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar faced challenges over his continued stay in office after defecting to another party, the Supreme Court ruled in his favor.
Despite these legal victories, the animosity between governors and their deputies continues to escalate. Most governors are unwilling to give their deputies the benefit of the doubt when it comes to loyalty.
Conclusion
The recent episode in Kano is just another in a long line of conflicts where governors feel their deputies must be fully loyal to them. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this latest development will play out in the broader context of Nigeria’s political landscape.
