Abdullahi Ganduje, All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, has tasked state governors and their deputies to maintain cordial relationships to strengthen democracy in Nigeria.

Mr Ganduje, a former governor of Kano State, spoke when he received members of the APC former deputy governors’ forum in Abuja on Monday.

He said being a deputy governor in Nigeria was most difficult because of sycophants who tried to create confusion and a rift between governors and their deputies.

He said although deputy governors may be regarded as spare tyres, they are always needed in times of trouble in states.

“If you don’t need the spare tyre when you are normal, you will need it when you are in trouble,” said Mr Ganduje. “There is no doubt the position of the deputy governor is the most controversial position in governance, not only in Nigeria but all over the world.”

Mr Ganduje said the APC, under his leadership, would consider organising a national conference to discuss ways of smoothening relationships between governors and their deputies.

“That is why I decided to write a book; even up till now, that problem is still there; in fact, if it persists, we are trying to organise a national conference on the relationship between governors and their deputies,” he said.

He added that he focused on deputising because there was always a deputy in every political office and even in other offices.

Mr Ganduje, a former deputy governor of Kano State before becoming governor for two terms, thanked the forum for the visit and assured that the APC would attain greater heights under his leadership.

Earlier, Chris Akomas, the former Abia deputy governor who led the forum, said it was to congratulate Mr Ganduje on his emergence as APC national chairman.

(NAN)