THE vice president (VP) has traditionally been seen as the spare tire to the president. We have never seen the vice president as being on par with the president; not even as a primus inter pares when, in fact, she or he succeeds the president in case of death or incapacity. The VP is critical not just for succession purposes, but more so for governance.

We have seen what collaboration and amity can do, what constructive criticism can provide and what consensus-building can offer in public service.