By John Mayaki
Who else has noticed it? How many of us? Raise up your hands, let me see, if you noticed that the governor of Edo state is yet to remove the Head of Service, he inherited from the ex-Governor, Dictator Godwin Obaseki? Am sure even Dr Anthony Okungbowa himself would be surprised that by now, he hasn’t been shown the way out. Senator Okpebholo ‘disappointed’ them all, by simply rising above petty politics – unlike his petty predecessor.
The Head of Service is among several others whom the governor must have ‘disappointed’ – or at least, the governor surprised them that he’s not that kind of person.
Did you know that the Accountant General who served the ex-petty governor is still being retained by our “Authentic Integrity” governor? What about the Director, Government House? The Permanent Secretary, Government House? The clerical officers, messengers among several other key functionaries? I am told that these officials were taken aback with the actions of the governor – they had expected the governor would send them packing and replace them with new faces whose loyalty he could trust, devoid of any allegiance to their former Boss. But Okpebholo proved to be a leader with a difference – nothing to hide.
We can now see in practical terms, how leadership reveals the soul of a man. In our politically charged state, it would not have been surprising if a new administration began with a clean sweep of dismissals, especially of officials perceived as closely tied to the ex-petty governor. But for Okpebholo, no heads rolled, no offices were cleared.
This man with a difference has demonstrated that he is above petty politics. He assesses the worth of people not by their tribe, place of birth, political affiliations, or personal connections, but by their capacity to deliver results. Rather than surround himself with cronies, Okpebholo has chosen the path less travelled – I mean the path of merit, trust, inclusivity, and continuity of roles, without victimization.
When I said in an earlier piece that our very “Authentic Integrity” – and our own “AI” had arrived, many didn’t quite understand. But we can now see a man secure in his integrity, with no need to hide behind a wall of loyalists. Of course, nothing stopped him from purging the ranks, retiring those who may still be capable, or eliminating potential spies around him. Yet, he chose otherwise because of his deep conviction that governance is about building bridges, and not erecting Berlin Walls.
And so, for Okpebholo, the color of your political past is irrelevant. What matters is the value you bring to the table. Do you possess the requisite competence for the job? Okpebholo is not only teaching us governance; he is teaching us statesmanship – beyond petty politics.
The message is clear: the business of governance is too important to be dictated by petty politics and petty politicians. Progress requires continuity for Okpebholo, regardless of personal or party loyalty.
We should thank God that our own “AI” – Authentic Integrity, has arrived and that he is here to stay. We should thank God for the privilege of a leader who dares to be different. He is not just a man of the moment; I see a man for the future – the very leader redefining what it means to govern with purpose and distinction – the man beyond petty politics.
