Between a President and his Vice by Lanre Etti Jr. (@EttiJr)
Read Time:1 Minute, 35 Second
It’s now clear that President Muhammadu Buhari’s main focus, and the purpose of his recent travels is solely on security and corruption. Thereby leaving Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as the coordinating Minister of Economy. Which is somehow a catch 22 for the Vice President.
Here he is, vested with the responsibility of directing the economy, a huge task that cannot be effectively carried out without him acting like a President. Because he needs to be able to make key policy decisions, like hiring and firing and giving orders to the Minister of Finance or the CBN Governor.
Osinbajo, for some obvious reasons, has decided to tread carefully, before he is accused of trying to ‘overshadow’ or usurp the powers of the President.
For instance, under former President GEJ, Okonjo Iweala had the free will to do what she liked with the economy, because GEJ was an economic illiterate.
Considering PMB’s similar lack of knowledge in economic matters, does that mean the VP will be given the free reign to operate, without being seen as encroaching on the powers of the President?
Historically, we read of how PMB was comfortable with his late deputy during his military regime, Tunde Idiagbon, taking the spotlight and directing the affairs of the government in 1984, but this is a different ball game. PMB/Osinbajo ticket is a product of PMB and Asiwaju Tinubu’s political alliance. And mutual suspicions will forever be present, no matter how they pretend to trust each other.
The question is: will the President and his handlers trust the VP enough to concede some Presidential powers and let him call the shots, knowing fully well that the economy will slide into further ruins without having someone at the driving seat? Or Is he going to vest such powers in the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun and render the VP useless, like Namadi Sambo was under GEJ?
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