I like to be referred to be Buhari’s co-pilot rather than a spare tyre — Osinbajo

According to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, he would rather be known as President Muhammadu’s co-pilot than spare tyre.

Osinbajo addressed Thursday in Abuja at the publication event for Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s book, “Deputising and Governance in Nigeria.”

He utilised the metaphor of the spare tyre, which is frequently used to symbolise the position of the president’s deputy.

Osinbajo countered, saying a better analogy would be the partnership between a pilot and co-pilot in an aeroplane.

He said: “Imagine a commercial flight with people, including you on a plane, there is the captain, and then there is his deputy.

“The captain flies the plane, but no human being can be completely focused for several hours.

“So, sometimes he gets up and goes to the bathroom while the flight is on; his deputy had better be a good pilot, otherwise lives are at risk.

“Can you imagine a situation where the captain leaves the cockpit briefly and you hear an announcement from the cockpit: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I am the deputy to the captain.

“The captain is in the restroom, and I am only a spare tyre and I am not sure what to do now?’ If you are in that plane you will ask God for forgiveness for expecting that a deputy or assistant plays no role.”