A former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Chris Ekpenyong, has weighed in on the battle between some state Governors and their deputies.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and his colleague in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, have been in serious political tussles with their deputies.
In an interview with Vanguard, Ekpenyong, the immediate past Akwa Ibom North West Senator, said the reason the governors are always having issues with their deputies is because of political interest.
He said it is always the deputy governors who are threatened with impeachment or are impeached, saying that it is because their views are at variance with their principals.
Senator Ekpenyong disclosed that during his time as the deputy governor, he had to endure until he couldn’t endure anymore and had to finish his tenure.
He said: “When I listen to what is going on with some deputy governors and their governors, it is always the deputy governor who is threatened with impeachment or is impeached.
“It is because their views are at variance with their governors. In my time, I had to endure until when I couldn’t endure anymore. As deputy governor, I was always representing Attah at the Council of State meeting and other meetings at the Villa.
“As a result of that, Obasanjo knew me well. In 2003, I was called to come and take the ticket and run as governor of Akwa Ibom. I refused at the house of the then-National Chairman of PDP, Audu Ogbeh. I objected and said Attah should be allowed to go for a second term.
“That was after they had taken the Anambra ticket from Mbadinuju and given it to Chris Ngige. You know politics is filled with intrigues. In 2005, Attah and some people planned against me.
“Thank God, the same House of Assembly that talked about impeachment had to drop it. The stress I went through as a deputy governor was much, and I felt it wasn’t necessary.”
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