DEPUTY GOVERNORS NEED NO CONSTITUTIONAL ROLE
Former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Prince Chinedu Emeka, has stated that deputy governors in Nigeria do not need any specific constitutional roles in the governance of their states. Speaking during a courtesy visit to The Sun Publishing Limited headquarters in Lagos, Prince Emeka contended that there was no need for the constitution to make provision for deputy governors in Nigeria to be given administrative duties, as it would undermine the position of the governors.
His words: 'I think it is absolutely convenient for deputy governors to have no specific roles. The constitution defines the governor as the chief executive officer of the state, and if the deputy governors are assigned specific roles, they may exclude the governor from interfering in the role to which they have been assigned and the governor will no longer be the chief executive.
'Deputy governors should have their powers emanating from the cordial relationship between them and their bosses and the governors themselves should be broad-minded enough to take advice from their deputies. Anyone who wants to be a deputy should know it and I would not want that to change. It should remain as it is.'
Emeka seized the opportunity to commiserate with the management of The Sun Publishing Ltd. over the recent fire that gutted part of the company's premises, thanking God that no lives were lost.
'The Sun is a truly national credible paper that has come to stay. It is a voice for the down-trodden and also for democracy. When I heard of the fire incident, I was really disturbed because we depend on it for credible stories especially in the South-East. When I came here, I saw the level of devastation, but I thank God that no life was lost,' he stated.
On his political ambition, Emeka confirmed that he would be vying for a seat in the Senate on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
He stated that his ambition was borne out of a deep concern for the welfare of the people and promised that he would bring about a positive change if elected.
'Contrary to the general belief that politicians seek elective office because of the attraction, I want to use this medium to state that my ambition to represent my people is borne out of a deep concern for their plight. I am not going there to make money for myself because I am not lacking. My constituency needs development, and that is what I intend to bring,' he said.