Godwin Obaseki

By Jethro Ibileke

As Mr. Godwin Noghehase Obaseki assumes office today as the Governor of Edo State, the State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has issued a document to guide him while in office.

The document titled APC 22 Commandments for Governor Obaseki and signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Godwin Erhahon, welcomed the new Governor with profound gratitude to God and thanks to the good people of Edo state.

Here is the full text of the document: “We are glad to have survived to witness this day and put the past behind us. Heed therefore, the following 22 commandments:

The Obasekis are from the royal princehood. Governor Obaseki should therefore have no reason to behave like a slave who becomes king, against whom the Bible warns mankind in Proverbs 30:21.

Preach what you practice and practice what you preach: reason before you talk/ act: don’t be a hypocrite.

Maintain level-headedness always.

Don’t elevate sycophants to be your counselors.

Bear in mind always that as excess sugar corrodes the health of an adult, so sycophancies elevated to counsellorship, corrode the heart of a leader; likewise, as bitter nutrients heal and strengthen the health of an adult, so do bitter truths and constructive criticism straighten and direct a leader aright.

Choose your friends, don’t inherit enmity.

Remember always that as Governor, you are standing on a political party platform; don’t be tempted into trying to lift the platform upon your head lest it crumbles upon you.

Prove to Edo people the positive differences between a dog and a horse.

Don’t indulge in primitive bravados and mad acquisitions; a sane governor need not struggle to prove that he is powerful.

Note that APC can only be as strong for future elections in Edo state as your government strengthens it.

Therefore don’t see your investment in the party as personal favour but as an obligation.

Remember, you were democratically elected and are being inaugurated today as Governor, not as an emperor.

Avoid divide and rule tactics.

Insulate your governance from your egoism.

Respect your party and community leaders, but don’t belittle your office to any.

Be a genuine patriot by investing your all in Edo state privately and officially, not in foreign lands.

Whatever you would not want the Federal Government do to your State Government, don’t do to local government.

Reconcile Government with pensioners, judiciary and local government workers and pay them their entitlements.

Don’t alienate or antagonize any ethnic group.

Don’t attempt to pull down or humiliate others to glorify yourself, for all glory belongs to God.

Should you realize that you offended anyone, high or low, in the course of your duty, reconcile with him while still in office. Don’t wait till you are humbled by exit.

Don’t impersonate God: remember always that you are His servant, not his rival. God promises to destroy whoever attempts to rival him.

For as long as you tread the part of peace, truth and sanity, APC shall be solidly with you positively and productively in the struggle to make Edo State comfortable and prosperous for all.”