Former Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo has shared insights into the complex challenges facing deputy leaders, citing observations from former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Umar Ganduje about the impossible position of second-in-command officials.
In a Symfoni TV media coverage from 5:49, Osinbajo recounted Ganduje’s humorous but pointed analysis of the predicament facing deputies and vice presidents in Nigerian politics. “It was His Excellency Umar Ganduje, former chairman of the APC, who humorously describes the conundrum that deputies face. And he once said to me that when you’re a deputy or vice, you’re in a difficult position, and then he would pause, like a great storyteller that he is, and then say, ‘Every action you take is likely to be misinterpreted, not necessarily by your boss, but by the numerous people around him,” Osinbajo revealed.
The former vice president detailed Ganduje’s colorful illustration of the no-win situation facing deputy leaders. “He says, ‘If you humbly walk behind your boss, they will say, “Look at him, he’s not cooperating with his boss.” If you walk by his side, he’ll say, “Ha, see this man, he thinks he’s equal to the boss.” And if you walk in front of him, they will say, “Ah, he thinks he’s better than the boss,” Osinbajo quoted.
While Osinbajo has not publicly disclosed specific challenges he encountered during his eight-year tenure, additional context has emerged from former administration officials about the difficulties he faced.
Zainab Buba Galadima, a former technical aide to the vice president, revealed in a recent interview that Osinbajo encountered significant resistance from President Buhari’s close allies within the presidential villa. According to Galadima, policies initiated by Osinbajo to benefit ordinary Nigerians during his role as acting president were blocked by officials who claimed he was attempting to undermine the president during Buhari’s medical leave.
