By Lucky Isibor
Ahead the 21 September Edo State governorship election, gubernatorial running mates in the election have outlined their roles in the incomigovernment and how they would enhance good governance if given the mandate by Edo people.
The Deputy Governorship candidates who locked horns at the Independent Television and Radio (ITV & Radio) governorship debate all agreed that their roles as Deputy Governors if given the mandate is largely as defined by the Governor who they described as the pilot, while the Deputy Governor is the co-pilot in driving the affairs of state.
Among the Deputy Governorship Candidates present at the debate were African Democratic Congress (ADC), Philip Osagie, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Edith Isopkan, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Comrade Bello Aneru, Labour Party, (LP), Yusuf Asamah Kadiri and African Action Congress (AAC), Sir Lord Osas Osunde.
Also present at the debate were selected members of supporters of the participating political parties, ITV governorship debate partners and the media.
The AAC candidate, Osunde noted that chapter 6 of the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria as amended has already captured the functions of the Deputy Governor. He noted that the Governor according to the constitution is the one to assign responsibility to the Deputy Governor adding he’s the assistant to the Governor.
On his part, Philip Osagie of the ADC pointed out that if given the mandate by Edo people as Deputy Governor, he would bring his wealth of experience as a trained political scientist to bear in complementing the Governor to ensure the delivery of good governance to the people.
The AGPA gubernatorial running mate stated that he’s not a neophyte in the act of assisting a principal in the discharge of his duties in organisations as he was at a time the vice- president of NUPENG for eight years, noting that he’s not new to such roles.
Aneru pointed out that what is required of the Deputy Governor is absolute loyalty to the Governor, stressing that anything short of that will raise suspicion by the Governor because his deputy would replace him in the event of impeachment by the House of Assembly.
The Labour Party Deputy Governorship candidate in his presentation, stated that he knows the provisions of the constitution as a lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) assuring that if given the mandate by Edo people he would not over step his bounds. He pointed out that as the Deputy Governor, he would be the number one theme member of the Governor’s team adding his duties include complementing the Governor and act in his absence as may be directed by him and assist him to deliver on the set objectives of the administration.
The NNDP candidate who stated that she has work experience spanning over 17 years serving the people as a church worker with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, stated that she would ensure judicious use of government resources, assist in coordinating state’s Ministries and Departments, and attend functions on behalf of the Governor.
On the issue of security in the state, all the gubernatorial running mates were unanimous in the formation of local vigilantes to enhance security at the grassroots, but would ensure training and retraining of the personnel to acquaint them with expectations of local security network in rendering social service to the people and respect for human rights.
While the other candidates would use the local vigilante to chase away marauders in the forest to allow farmers access to their farms, the Labour Party candidate pointed out that he would advise his Governor to establish forest rangers that will be saddled with the responsibility of policing the forests.
While deploring the conflict between the Governor of Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu at the twilight of the out going administration, the participating running mates assured that given the mandate, they’ll bring their wealth of experience and level headedness to ensure such situation does not arise.