The ephemerality of office
Today local government helmsmen sworn in on December 2, 2017 would cease to be occupants of those offices except those who have been favoured to return for a second term. In 2017, when they ascended the office, 2020 looked like eternity that would never come to an end but today we are there at that intersection of time and history where records, goodwill or otherwise shall speak for the rest of their lives.
While many used the office while it lasted to cultivate goodwill, others used it to make enemies that may endure beyond the scope of their comprehension. They became pig – headed with chips on their shoulders strutting as emperors that are not expected to fraternise with mere mortals. They alienated themselves from their friends and chose who to speak with on phone or respond to in ordinary greetings. They acted evasisely towards all except those who are of critical use to them. They developed attitudes which gave them a false sense of self importance and exaggerated ego. Today all that would pale away nd they would all become ordinary citizens again.
End is the reality of all offices just as death is inevitable to all mortals. This reality should humble us. Whether one is a president, a governor, a Senator or holding any office for that matter, the end would one day come. At that time , one becomes a beneficiary or victim of his/her actions while in office. If one’s actions were humanistic, then goodwill would follow with its transcendental complements. If actions while in office were anti-social, mean, arrogant, insular and vicious towards people, the time to reap begins from the point of exit from the office. Such people record no goodwill to fall back to and no friendship to return to. Infact, they spend the rest of their lives repairing broken and fractured relationships albeit most times unsuccessfully .
Those gearing up to assume office on Monday, December 7, 2020 should know that no matter how distant in time the tenure may look , it would end one day. As they get set to commence their services to their various local government areas, let them know that what they do while in office would determine their political altitude. Expectations would be high on the part of the public some of whom may be too impatient to allow them time to settle down. Such people are on the ready verge of making them enemies. The demand of high office includes training oneself emotionally and building a maturity of mind that is above pettiness. To that extent , even when a compelling need for quarrel or disagreement arises , it should be handled with ample room for reconciliation and reunion if need be. Do not make any quarrel a permanent feature in your leadership. Leadership and pettiness are socially at variance and should not be sustained by leaders.
For sometime now, local governments administrations have not impacted on their communities. Grading of roads , establishment of markets, support to ,local farmers and cooperative societies, provision of potable water that local government administrations used to undertake had long become relics of history sounding more like folklore when those who witnessed such discuss them. Incidentally such discussions belong to very recent past. The incoming administration must do all it would take to return local government administration to the era of responsibility when office and responsibility were harmonised for the good of all. It is in doing that they would be remembered not only by the people but also by posterity, both of whom do not celebrate excuses or mediocrity.
Congratulations as you prepare to assume office and good bye to those that are exiting today but with a lot of reservation to those who lost the second term bid because of their poor attitude and indiscretions.
