Philip Shaibu: Obono-Obla calls for abolishment of Office of Deputy Governor

Former presidential aide, Okoi Obono-Obla has called for the abolishment of Office of Deputy Governor in Nigeria.

He suggested that, to reduce the cost of governance, the Speaker of State Houses of Assembly should succeed, or stand in for governors, in the event of death or resignation or removal from office.

Obono-Obla spoke while reacting to the travails of Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shuiabu, who is facing impeachment.

“I feel sorry for the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Honourable Philip Shuiabu.

“I think the position of Deputy Governor should be abolished by the Constitution. The Speaker of the State House of Assembly should succeed any State Governor.

“This would require a constitutional amendment or alteration abolishing the position of Deputy Governor.”

He explained that since the advent of democratic civil rule in the country, deputy governors have been at the receiving end of the actions of imperialistic and despotic governors in the country.

“As a result, impeachment procedure is always dangling on the hands of deputy governors like the sword of damocles,” he added.

Obono-Obla noted that impeachment is a serious matter, warning that it must not be used as a weapon of blackmail deputy governors.