By Olasumbo Faseesin, Esq
Giving the impossible circumstance of absence, I will commit to leadership. First, I will downplay my interest, take on leadership and leave out politics. I will also call the Executive to order and provide leadership. I will ask my supporters to concentrate on other things and equally make this decision obvious through media that I would have persists my interest in seeking the office of Mr. Governor, but upon these facts, verifiable and apparently admissible by all good thinking and reasonable evidence, provided by media and the manner Mr. Governor, my boss have been travelled for medical attention, and other factors, suspend everything linking directly or, otherwise to wanting succession, and this might imply usurpation should I continue to forge or, foster my campaign.
In view of this medical leave and attention for my Boss, the Governor, my humble self as Deputy Governor would rely on the vision of my principal to provide unfettered support for the people of Ondo State that no gap in leadership is experienced in the absence of the Governor. It is our collective believe that Mr. Governor, my principal will return hale and hearty to the State and pick up governance.
I will not rely on the alibi of Madam Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, who had said, albeit, constitutional and knowingly, that the Deputy will take over should anything happen to Arakunrin in her PARAVENTURE SPEECH. Instead, I will undermine and disregard the attempt to build a castle in the air when of course the PARAVETURE SPEECH is very unlikely to see the light. Rather than relying on such statements, I will, as Deputy Governor, enter into a praying session with members of executive, encouraging one another with good sense of responsibility, and insisting that everyone interested in the plum job/top job of the office of Mr Governor divorces him or, herself out of respect for the current situation.
I will lead by example extinguishing my ambition and using media to stampede the quest of my followers, demanding me to override, overrule, overrun or, outshine the master who had singlehandedly picked me to Deputise the government. I will, regardless of temptation, resist the urge to betray a place and position of Trust. I will also ensure leadership is not found wanting within the period and absence of Mr. Governor. Once I lead by example, and decline inordinate urge to usurp my principal, then I can control other individuals within the cabinet, aiming at the position of Mr. Governor whose health was failing at the time.
As the Deputy Governor, I will ensure discipline, accountability, good governance and by example keep the state going and firmly united, especially the Executive body who provides leadership and direction. I will, in harmony ensure a smooth working relationship with the legislature and Judiciary in my action, thought, tongue and deed. I will not allow my self or, personal interest conflict with my duties and obligations while the Governor recuperates well from debilitating illness.
I will, among other things, sanction any contrary act by any individual or, group of persons who seek to pull down the vision of the Governor who coincidentally remains my principal even when dying cause we share a joint ticket. Hence, the joint ticket is not only for comfort, but blessings & burden. On the contrary, this would have created the impression that I am loyal to my principal and not desperate to overrun or, overshadow his place simply because he fell ill. I will not take advantage of the circumstance to mess up Governance and be construed, as reported by media, to be DESPERATE.
Consequently, and having determined to leave the situation of my ambition to fate, I will ensure and enforce strict compliance and compel other executive members to act pursuant to principles of governance and would spare no one no matter how highly placed the opportunity to flaunt the rules.
Now, you can read and digest what leadership is in the circumstance. It is more than the merriment and quest for power. Instead, leadership is for people who can undermine their own personal ambition in the threatening circumstance of impossible situations like the recent case with Ondo State where the Deputy Governor would wish to step into the big shoes of his principal but failing in strategy.
If I return as the Governor, and upon these terms of discharge in duties and obligations, as well as exemplary loyalty, shunning distractions but keeping fate & faith that my principal will not die and of course, return hail & hearty into Governance, avoiding the alluring ambience of power or, training the mind to see power as only ephemeral given by God Almighty, and as it pleases, regardless of our smartest strategies ……
I will then wait to see fate demonstrating my acceptance and acknowledgement of loyalty, and to have my name written in gold that I may sleep conscience free but not in competition with anyone. So help me God!
Above all, and against odds, save for impossible circumstance, remain firm in loyalty to the man who picked me up from nobody into the place of Deputy Governor. Even if he acts like God, I leave God to pass judgement, not me.
Olasumbo Faseesin, Esq, is a Humanist Legal Consult and can be reached via faseesinolasumbo@gmail.com
