The story of Governors and their Deputies, Presidents and their Vice Presidents across Nigeria and other climes has not always been palatable. Presidents and Governors often eclipsed their Deputies and often ended up fighting with them.
In Nigeria, the case of Obasanjo and Atiku, Abacha and his Deputy as well as Governors with their Deputies falling apart is routine. Asiwaju Tinubu fell out with his Deputy, Mrs. Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele; she was sacked in his first tenure, likewise Femi Pedro in Asiwaju’s second term. Fashola managed with Princess Adebisi Sosan and Mrs. Adejoke Adefulere as his Deputies for his eight year term while Ambode struggled with Dr. (Mrs.) Idiat Adebule for his first term. Even the Almighty United States is no different. No one hardly hears about Donald Trump’s Vice President.
But the current regime in Alausa is proving different. We have never seen it so good between a governor and his deputy. From Campaign days to their swearing in, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, seem to be inseparable. They are like twins. At every function, you see the two. When each got up to speak, he exalted the other and this is gladdening the hearts of observant Lagosians, who have never seen it like this before. People believe that if these two continue like this throughout their tenure, the State will experience not only greater excellence but an exponential progress.
Observers are wondering how this came about. They think it is because the two had been in the civil/public service for long and knew each other well. Others think it is not a coincidence but happenstance ordained by God for the good of the State. Some argue that it is over-ambition and high handedness that cause quarrels between Governors or Presidents and their Deputies.
When Abacha perceived that his Deputy could overshow him, the latter was framed up in a phantom coup and put down. The same happened between Obasanjo and Atiku. Except Buhari and Idiagbon of old, which was a semblance to what Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat are now doing. There are only few examples of bonding of Heads and their Deputies in different portfolios.
This is why this newspaper says there is something extraordinarily good that is now happening in Lagos State Imagine where these two leaders – Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat brain storm, strategize, mobilize and execute together without any one sabotaging the other or factionalising the team, a lot will be achieved by the State, when a Deputy is not accusing his boss (the Governor) of marginalization or of making him or her redundant, when a Governor is not feeling that his or her Deputy is rubbing shoulders with him or her or even eyeing the position, the State will be the better for it.
This newspaper had been keenly observing Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat; as they made public speeches, each of them would refer to the other and use the plural ‘We’ in their pronouncement to show a bond of unity.
As in blissful marriages, we pray that no one comes in-between these two progressive leaders of this great State so that they can deliver on their promises. The moment some divisive element start gossips or propaganda, this beautiful understanding and co-operation might be truncated. Hence, all friends of this State must encourage Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat to uphold this joint banner of unity and love to promote their good works.
Already, civil servants are singing their promises for providing them with buses and transportation to and from work. The two leaders are working hard to generate billions from waste and to make Lagos State safer. The synergy is working and yielding