Orji Uzor Kalu to Nig. Governors Forum: IN YOUR CHOICE OF SUCCESSOR, BEWARE OF WOLVES IN SHEEPS CLOTHING! ***A Presentation by former Abia State governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, at the Retreat of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, today June 6, Port Harcourt, Rivers State titled Transitioning Out: Life After Office PROTOCOLS Let me begin by expressing my delight to be here today, at the invitation of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, to be part of this retreat, the 4th in the series. I must congratulate the Association, and those who run its affairs, for making the NGF a relevant institution in the scheme of things in the country. If the NGF were not relevant, or a pushover in national affairs, then there would not have been such a great tussle for its soul. I am glad that the Nigerian Governors’ Forum remains solid, and continues to march on, with a sharp vision for the growth and development of our country. The topic I have been asked to speak on is a very germane one; Transitioning Out: Life After Office. A good number of governors here today are in their second term in office, and by this time next year, they would have transitioned out. That is why the topic is timely and very important. And those who picked it must be commended for being interested in the total well being of members of this Association, and not just what governors can contribute to their states in particular, and the country in general. Governors themselves are human beings, and their physical, emotional and psychological needs must be considered. It is in that light I see this topic, as someone who has held office for two terms as governor, and transitioned back to private life. What I will be saying, therefore, will not be theory, but something I have participated in, something I have experienced. At this point, let me pay tribute to those who fashioned our constitution, and embedded time limit in it. The maximum anyone can do in an executive office is two terms of four years each. That is also the practice in most countries of the world, especially America, after which we have modelled our own democratic practices. I know some countries do not have the two terms limit. America itself did not have it initially. But along the line, the need for it was seen, and it was introduced. We know African countries who do not have term limits, or who have had it tampered with by their leaders. That is why Paul Biya is in power in Cameroun for more than three decades, Robert Mugabe is in power in Zimbabwe for 34 years, Omar Bongo was in power in Gabon till he died, same for Gnassingbe Eyadema in Togo, and Yoweri Museveni leads Uganda till tomorrow, after more than two decades in office. But I applaud the need for term limits. It brings in fresh verve, fresh energy, fresh ideas. It rejuvenates and reinvigorates the wheel of progress. No man has the monopoly of ideas, or wisdom. By the time you have ruled a state or country for eight years, it is only proper that you give way for new ideas and new energy, to improve on what you have done. That was what actuated me to be in the vanguard of opposition to tenure extension or elongation at a time in this country, when it seemed the then sitting president was scheming to perpetuate himself in office. In a country of about 160 million people, or a state of very many million good heads, there is no way one person can decide or determine that the wheels of progress will grind to a halt, if he is not the one in office. God has not created any set of people in a way that only one person is endued or endowed with ability to lead. But what are the points to bear in mind, as some of our friends and brothers here prepare to transit out of office? Here are my thoughts: Public office should not be the beginning and end of it all for anybody. It should not be the case that the quality of your life should drop drastically when you quit public office, simply because you have no second address. Is any of us born in Government House? No. Even if we were born there, a time to leave would come, as the next occupant of the place would show up. So, it should not be that we become objects of pity after public office – sad, lonely, idle. For me, before public office, I was active in business, involved in corporate governance, both nationally and internationally. And when I left office, I returned to my original calling, which is business. That is the way it should be. Before you became governors, you had what you were doing. After leaving office, therefore, you should have the courage to return to it. Is it business? Return to it. Is it the academia? There will surely still be a space for you. Farming? Oh, Nigeria can do with a lot more big time farmers. Please, never plan to be idle after office. Get gainfully engaged, and see yourself living longer and happily. As a businessman and investor, governance for eight years limited my reach and scope. My businesses shrunk, as I was constrained by the demands of public office. Today, however, God has repaid me in several folds. I can hardly keep pace with all my investments in different parts of the world, and I virtually live in the air now, criss-crossing continents. But I am happy and fulfilled, as I can offer employment opportunities to many thousands, and also employ innumerable professionals, who can ply their trade in our many businesses. As chief executives of states today, please plan ahead on how you will still be useful to people in your sphere of influence, as they would never leave you alone. As a former governor, they will think you have all the money in the world, so they will continue to bring their needs to you. Therefore, think towards entrepreneurship, so that you can still meet the needs of people round you. You do not need to give them free money. Rather, you can give them opportunities in business where you have dominant shares, or link them with other colleagues and friends who equally have investments. If you don’t do this, they will abuse you as a selfish man, who does not give opportunities to others. As one who has held executive office in your state for two terms, there is no way you will not continue to be a stakeholder in the politics of your state. Being a stakeholder is not the same thing as being a godfather or kingmaker. No. You will naturally be interested in who succeeds you in office, without necessarily imposing your successor. Therefore, you need to be on top of the political game, at this twilight of your stay in office, and even beyond . I say it again. You are a stakeholder in your state, and you must continue to be. Except you retire permanently from politics, you will always have a stake in who leads your state. Therefore, you need to still be active politically, and keep tabs on development. A lot of younger people will want to ride on your back to achieve their political aims and ambitions. Be there for them. That will also help you to retain your influence and respect. But this warning: Mind the type of person you help to succeed you. And in saying this, you know what I mean, because you are familiar with my experience. Beware of animals in human skin. Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Be sure of the quality of person you are backing. Make sure he is a true human being, and not an animal or monster. William Shakespeare says: “there is a dagger in men’s smiles. The near in blood, the nearer bloody.” Some of those that smile at you wear daggers, unknown to you. They will pretend, earn your trust, ride on your back into office, and having got there, they show their true colours. It has happened in many states round the country. Our own case in Abia is particularly the worst specimen. Watch it. Be careful, be circumspect. You can be very sad out of office, if you help a man to succeed you, and he turns to be an animal in human skin. I will not say more than that. Personal development. This is very important, even as you leave public office. Learning is a lifelong thing. Don’t say because you may not return to public office in any capacity again in future, so you foreclose any kind of personal development. No. please, go for refresher courses. For further education, if you wish. Enrol for leadership programs that will give you the capacity to contribute further to national discourse. You say today that you don’t intend to hold any higher office in future. But do you know what the future holds? You don’t know the plan God has for you. So, continue to develop yourself. The time after office is a good one to do short term programs that you didn’t have opportunity to attend for eight years. Now, hear this. Even if you are succeeded by a good person who remains loyal, be ready for the shift of allegiance and alliance from people. All those who used to flock round you in both your official and private residences, will shift their allegiances to the new kid on the block. Dont be disappointed. That is human nature. Because your power to dispense patronage has reduced, they will naturally begin to flow towards your successor. And don’t be crestfallen when people who benefited from you immensely begin to badmouth you before your successor, so that they can drive a wedge between you. There are some people who prosper from causing discord between two top personalities. It will happen, so be ready for it. Just take such things in your strides, because it happened to the people before you, and it will happen to you, and to the people coming after you. Such is life. And again, this warning. Don’t be too over-bearing on your successor. Don’t interfere unnecessarily in his administration. Allow him to make his mistakes, and correct them. Offer advice only if consulted. Because your successor, if he is a bad person like an animal in human skin that I know, will tell false stories about you, that you are the one responsible for his failure. Therefore, keep a distance. Don’t be seen in and out of Government House. You have lived there for eight years, so let the new occupant be. If you are too frequent there, people will say you are teleguiding your successor. Don’t forget what the Holy Bible says in Proverbs 25:17: “Don’t be too frequent in the house of your neighbour, lest he begins to hate you.” Keep a wide berth from Government House when you have finished your term. Or is there something you forget there you want to take? Make sure you pack all your belongings before you leave. Finally, know that the burden you will carry as a former governor is for life. Even if you leave office poorer than when you went in, a cynical public would never believe you. They believe half of the public treasury is kept in your house, so they will come daily to line up, telling one tale of woe after the other. If you give them, they will say they only came to collect what belongs to them. If you don’t give, they will say you are selfish and stingy. So, know that for life, you will carry the cross of having been a governor. Therefore, if you don’t replenish your purse through investments and businesses, you will soon become poor. And when you become poor, the same people will abuse you of being a foolish man. So, it is head you lose, tail you lose. Public service is truly a thankless job in Nigeria. Your Excellencies, transitioning is an inevitable part of life. Rather than be a time of sorrow and regrets, it should be a time of thanksgiving. That you started the journey, made an impact on the lives of your people by giving them dividends of democracy, and that you finished successfully. You were not impeached, you did not die, your people did not rise against you. It calls for thanksgiving. I pray that you will all finish strong. And when you are transiting to private life, and it is time for thanksgiving, remember Citizen Orji Uzor Kalu, who has travelled the road eight years before you. Invite me, and I will come to rejoice with you. I thank you for listening.
Posted on: Sat, 07 Jun 2014 15:23:26 +0000
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