Benue State Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu, has said that the Nigerian Constitution does not give Deputy Governors any right.
He said realising this and not seeking to assume the right was the key reason friction could be avoided between a Deputy Governor and his principal.
The man who has been able to maintain a cordial relationship with Governor Samuel Ortom, who is also seeking to contest governorship under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party, said this in Makurdi on Thursday.
He told newsmen that Ortom knew about his aspiration.
Abuonu said, “The reason why some deputies fall out with their principals is because they assumed rights. Some deputy governors have the belief that they are being short-changed, they are not been given enough and that they are not getting what is due to them.
“But as deputy governor, you have no right, none whatsoever, because the constitution does not ascribe anything to the deputy governor.
“Only two things that are available to deputy governors are, in the event the governor goes on holiday and ask the deputy to act and the second is in the event the governor decides to give you any assignment to carry out. And if he (governor) decides not to assign any duty to you, has he committed any offense?”
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