The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has called for a review of the Nigerian Constitution to include clearly defined roles for deputy governors. Ganduje made this call during his keynote address at the Third National Conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN) held in Abuja on Tuesday.

The two-day conference, themed “Strategic Solutions for Good Governance, Food Security, and Sustainable Growth in Nigeria,” brought together former deputy governors from across the country to discuss pressing national issues and their roles in governance.

In his address, Ganduje noted that the relationship between governors and their deputies is often marked by a lack of clarity regarding the latter’s functions. He described the position of deputy governors as “very controversial” due to the absence of specific constitutional roles, unlike vice-principals whose duties are well defined by the constitution.

“Nobody can do it alone. We have to share responsibility,” Ganduje remarked. “I know there is a controversy that deputy governors should have a prescribed function in the Constitution. Unlike vice-principals, who have defined roles, there is no specification for the deputy governor’s functions. His duties are what are assigned to him by the principal.”

Ganduje expressed optimism that a constitutional review could address this issue, suggesting that future amendments might include provisions explicitly outlining the duties of deputy governors.

The APC national chairman further urged the forum to maintain its spirit of camaraderie, stressing the importance of solidarity among former and current deputy governors in advocating for reforms that would strengthen governance in Nigeria.