A governor and his style

By Joseph Ogunsemi

IT is not unusual for people to make comparisons between predecessors and successors, especially when there are notable differences in the way and manner they administer their offices or establishments.

One is, therefore, not surprised that analysts and those who have keenly been following political developments in Ekiti State have ceaselessly been comparing the immediate past administration of Mr. Ayo Fayose terminated via impeachment on October 26, 2006 and the incumbent government of Engineer Olusegun Adebayo Oni that is yet to complete one year in office.

In fact, why would the  rational analysts and observers not compare the two eras, more so when one was characterized by hullabaloo, imperial and dictatorial tendencies, lack of respect for human dignity, deceit, grandstanding and crass contempt for the rule of law and due process while the other one is seen as a total departure?

Governor Oni, an engineer and student of history with a humble background may have learnt so much from the mistakes and actions of Fayose, hence his style of governance is sharply different. To Oni, power is so transient and must be used as a temporary tool that will sooner than later go to where it resides, that is, in the people. Not only that, Governor Oni knows that all positions belong to God Who gives them to whoever He likes. And as a good keeper, the position must not be abused because there will always be a day of reckoning.

Little wonder Governor Oni is perceived as being too gentle, too humane, too relaxed, too simple, too thorough, too respectful, too frugal, too careful, too prudent, too intelligent and too transparent, among other qualifiers.

Governor Oni is not unaware what people say about him, especially when they try to compare him with Fayose, who debased governance by drinking and wining with urchins, all to give the impression that he was part of them.

“I cannot behave like Fayose. I was brought up in a different way, our educational background and antecedents are not the same; where we are coming from is not the same; our missions and aspirations are not the same. And that being the case, how do we act and behave in the same way?

“In fact my mission in government is to improve on the lives of our  people genuinely and not for self aggrandizement or to amass ill-gotten wealth. I don’t want to leave office and be running from pillar to post like a fugitive in my own country.

“Before I became governor I used to respect leaders and elders, including traditional rulers, so why should I depart from such a cultured way because I am now a governor?

“People should not allow public offices to intoxicate them because they are not personal estates or inheritance. Why should I spend public funds as if they are mine? I am just a trustee of the people’s money. That is why I have to apply due process in our financial transactions and carry the civil servants and other public officers, including commissioners and Advisers along in our dealings”, Oni explained.

He, however, wondered how a sane governor would unilaterally award contracts, treat his commissioners and other senior officers as mere errand boys, advertise unexecuted projects with millions of naira and above all, treat traditional rulers and party leaders with disdain.

“My style of administration may not be palatable to people of little minds but I have resolved to put in place the ideal way of running a public office and change the awkward orientation of our people, a majority of whom have been led astray over the years. This is an era of a new beginning, new thinking and new directions”, Oni maintained.

Methinks Governor Oni’s style of public administration will serve as a model to those in exalted positions, as well as those aspiring to hold public offices. In less than a year in office, the hitherto much-debased government of Ekiti State has been accorded its value. The deputy governor, commissioners, advisers, traditional rulers, party leaders and journalists in the state now see one another as team players in the affairs of the state. Nobody is afraid to advise the governor or need to know the mother or girl friend of the governor before getting contracts or employment for their children.

People now walk freely and talk freely on matters of public interest without fear of intimidation, harassment or persecution. Truly this is an era of CHANGE.A time for Ekiti State to change for the better.

Ogunsemi is the Special Assistant on Public Communications to the Deputy Governor, Ekiti State.