Dapo Abiodun and delay in political appointments

By: Yomi Ogunsanu

It is often said that uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.

Perhaps this applies to the governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who, after one week in office finds it difficult to make any political appointment.

Governor Dapo Abiodun 

The governor has the prerogative to make 3 key appointments on assumption of office without recourse to the legislature for approval.

These appointments are: Secretary to the State Government, Chief of  Staff and Chief Press Secretary. He could also go ahead to appoint Senior Special Assistant, Special Assistant and Personal Assistant as he deems fit.

That the governor  was unable to announce any appointment since his assumption of office, speaks volume about the intrigues, permutations and horse trading that may be going on behind the scene.

There is no doubt that there are various groups within  and outside the APC,  with conflicting interests around Governor Abiodun, who are positioning themselves for juicy positions.

These groups played prominent roles in the emergence of Prince Dapo Abiodun as the governor, and therefore are expecting compensation in form of political appointments.

However, the governor needs to be very careful, calculative and diplomatic in dealing with these groups in such a way that the interest of his administration will not be put on the line.

Governor Abiodun has promised on several occasions to run an inclusive government, as he called on the people who contested the governorship election with him to join hands with him in taking Ogun State to the desired level.

Some of his co-contestants heeded his call,  as they paid courtesy visit to him, while some were co-opted into the Economic Team that was set up before the inauguration.

But what is not clear about the "inclusive government" being emphasised by the governor, is whether his co-contestants or groups outside the APC will be offered appointment slots or they will only be requested to submit blueprints in any area of governance.

The APC, which produced Governor Dapo Abiodun is expected to form the government in Ogun State. And in doing this, the interest of the party and the larger society must be considered.

Within the APC itself, there are powerful party chieftains who perhaps may want to dictate the trend of political appointments or whose blessings must be sought by the governor before appointment is made.

This no doubt could slow down the process of appointment.

While the governor must be sympathised with at this crucial moment, he should be reminded that the people of Ogun State are highly expectant of his administration, and cannot afford to disappoint them based on the overwhelming support he received from them.

The continuous delay in political appointment by the governor could lead to speculations that all is not well with his administration.

With few days to the inauguration of new lawmakers in the state, the election of Speaker and other Principal Officers on the floor of the House will test the unity of APC as the party in power in Ogun State.