“No one is perfect”, is a common phrase. And if the Perfect Holy Master Himself, Lord Jesus the Christ, could appoint 12, including a Peter and a Judas, who am I to seek perfection anywhere.
Just like a dying father thinking of who would lead the family after his demise, 2nd term governors (some) are also in dilemma to nominate who to succeed them. Who would not pray for a loyal successor. Who amongst their Excellencies, the 2nd Term Governors, would not nominate successors who would readily cover the grave of misdeeds should the heavy wind blow away their cemeteries of corruption. 2nd Term Governors rarely nominate successors who would better their administration performances but rather, one who would continue in their foot steps, good or bad.
Some examples came to mind.
1). Ganduje was Kwankwaso’s Personal Assistant and Commissioner at 1st term. When Kwankwaso became a Minister, Ganduje was also a Special Adviser. On the 2nd Term return of Kwankwaso to Kano state as Governor, Ganduje remained a loyal associate of Kwankwaso. Without opposition from other ANPP aspirants, the governor’s good boy, Ganduje, became the elected Governor for Kano state after Kwankwaso. What is their relationship today.
2). Without counting Virginia Etiaba, the impeachment forced Governor of Anambra state, His Excellency, Peter Obi, a 2nd Term Governor, singlehandedly picked Willie Obiano as a successor. Obi and Obiano were at loggerheads concerning the APGA Campaign funds even before the election proper. Whether Obiano built the Airport with the fund left by Peter Obi isn’t my concerns. But things fell apart immediately His Excellency, Willie Obiano, was sworn-in as a successor of Peter Obi of Anambra state. Thakhullah.
3). The Office of the Accountant General is no doubt of vital importance to a President or Governor. No doubt in his wisdom, His Excellency, Nyensome Wike, a 2nd Term Governor of Rivers State drafted a loyal and “shut-mouth” civil servant into the Governorship race. Like an unsaturated rainfall, Sim Fubara, the Rivers State Accountant General then, was compensated with governorship.Though, on May 2022, Fubara and 58 others were declared wanted by the EFCC on a 435 billion naira fraud, Wike rated loyalty over integrity and His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, was thus sworn-in as the next Governor of Rivers State after Wike. The imbroglio between the godfather and his godson has almost turned Rivers State into a state of emergency. Like begets like.
And so many others.
While loyalty of successors couldn’t be ruled out, 2nd Term Governors should rather render good and transparent services to the people believing that no harm shall befall a good man. Let 2nd Term Governors allow their respective parties and the populace to nominate and elect their successors. Remember that the true character of a man isn’t obvious till he becomes rich or assumes greater office.
Let us pray.
Father in Heaven, be merciful in guiding and guarding our own GSM, the Executive Governor of Oyo state, His Excellency, Egnr Seyi Makinde, aright to choose a loyal and God fearing successor for Oyo state in 2027. So shall it be. Amen.
Ismaila Ashipa is an opinion moulder, political Juggernaut and Influencer.
