Former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, has defended the involvement of political godfathers in Nigeria’s democracy, arguing that their function needs to be restricted to providing steerage and recommendation slightly than dictating appointments for elected governors.
Osoba acknowledged this throughout a podcast hosted by Reuben Abati and shared on X (previously Twitter), the place he acknowledged being a political godfather however insisted that he had intentionally averted interfering within the administrations of his political successors.
The former governor mentioned he had by no means nominated anybody for appointment as a commissioner, particular adviser, councillor or native authorities chairman in Ogun State, stressing that elected governors needs to be allowed to independently handle their administrations.
“I agree, I’m a godfather. But one thing that is working for me in my state is that I hardly interfere. I counsel and advise him. I have never nominated one person into his government,” he mentioned.
Explaining his place, Osoba famous that imposing political appointees on a governor might weaken the governor’s authority and create pointless divisions amongst supporters and political associates.
According to him, recommending one individual for an appointment from a pool of loyalists might generate resentment amongst others who may really feel missed.
He additionally noticed that people beneficial by political godfathers might face suspicion throughout the administration, probably creating mistrust between the governor and members of his cupboard.
Recalling his expertise as governor, Osoba mentioned he adopted a system that allowed every federal constituency in Ogun State to appoint candidates for commissioner positions.
He defined that he requested one nominee from every federal constituency and subsequently assessed their {qualifications} and credentials earlier than assigning them portfolios.
Osoba mentioned the association helped him keep away from undue stress from political associates whereas guaranteeing that totally different constituencies had illustration in his authorities.
The former governor, nonetheless, maintained that political godfathers had a official duty to make sure that people who labored for a candidate throughout election campaigns have been recognised and rewarded for his or her contributions.
He burdened that such recognition mustn’t translate into interference within the day-to-day working of presidency or the imposition of people on an elected governor.
“That’s the role of a godfather. I agree, I’m a godfather,” he added.
Osoba additionally defended the involvement of skilled political elders within the course of of choosing candidates for elective workplaces, arguing that their expertise and information of public service might contribute to creating knowledgeable political selections.
Citing his help for a presidential candidate, he pointed to the person’s expertise throughout totally different ranges of presidency, together with service within the Lagos State House of Assembly, the House of Representatives and the Senate, in addition to expertise within the company sector.
He instructed that such a observe report needs to be thought of when assessing the suitability of people in search of the nation’s highest political workplace.
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