X-RAYING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLITICAL APPOINTEES AND THE PRINCIPAL

"X-RAYING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLITICAL APPOINTEES  AND THE PRINCIPAL"

By ISHIBUDE EMEKA ENYINNIA, Ph.D

 As we all await the reconstitution of the cabinet, normal and expanded, by His Excellency, ,the Governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON,on his second tenure journey, it has become germain to pen down some  thoughts on the expectations of the Principal and the appointees. This becomes necessary especially on the recent happenings in the state where certain appointees were allowed to face the full weight of the law over their action in the previous positions they held. 

Basically, the fact remains that first and foremost, there's a relationship between appointees and the Principal. And as such, each must be guided by the rules and expectations of a relationship. 

The relationship between a political appointee and the Principal is that of a symbiotic bond crafted on trust, shared objectives and mutual respects. So the Principal,often an elected official, such as the Governor, entrusts key positions within the government to individuals whose values align with their vision and agenda. In turn, appointees pledge their loyalty and dedication to advancing the goals and objectives of the Principal which is; upholding the principles of good governance, accountability and transparency.

The first duty of an appointee,therefore, is to provide expert advise to the Principal on matters within their scope wherever they may be posted and whatever may be their schedule of duties. Appointees are expected to take advantage of their expertise and experience to inform policy decisions, anticipate challenges and devise effective strategies for achieving desired results.

Other duties of appointees include,but not limited to, executing the agenda of their Principal by implementing policies,programmes and initiatives consistent with their visions for good governance, serving as ambassadors and advocates of their Principal,both within the government and other stakeholders.

But more importantly, appointees owe their allegiance to their Principal. This must be done with a broader responsibility to the rule of law, ethical standards and public interest . There is therefore a demand on appointees to maintain  independence and objectivity in their decision making processes free from undue influence or parochial considerations. Appointees must uphold the principle of transparency, accountability and integrity which are necessary in sustaining and preserving public trust and confidence in government institutions.

A political appointee must demonstrate loyalty and commitment to their Principal and the administration as a whole. It is a well known fact that individuals  have their own priorities and inclinations. However, appointees of government must align themselves with the broader objectives of the administration and refrain from pursuing personal agendas that   differ from those of their Principal by prioritizing the collective interest of the administration over personal gains and ambitions . Political appointees can foster trust and cohesion within the team.

Appointees must develop a productive relationship with their Principal. And this requires sound judgement and discretion in their decision making. They must carefully weigh competing interests, consulting with relevant stakeholders and considering the potential implications of their actions on the administration's reputation and effectiveness.

Any responsible government or organization will therefore frown and  not take it lightly at any action or activities that taints its image and blunts it's drive for the good of the people. As such, it becomes imperative to take actions necessary to correct the dented image of the administration ,real or perceived. A popular Igbo adage says "akpara aha nwanyi, akpara aha di ya". Meaning, in any action of  a married woman, good or  bad, with honour or dishonour, the husband's name is at stake. No one ,at the end of the day remembers the woman; it's the husband's name that will continue to ring a bell.

So ,as we await those that will be announced by His Excellency, let's all bear in mind that the relationship between an appointees and their Principal is a dynamic and multi faced partnership built on trust, accountability and shared objectives. While appointees are bound to promoting the vision and objectives of  their Principal, they must also uphold the  principles of good governance, integrity and the public interest. By carrying out their duties diligently, with professionalism and a buy - in to ethical standards, appointees play a viral role in shaping the course of governance and serving the needs of the people.

*Ishibude Emeka Enyinnia, PhD*

*Former Special Adviser to the Governor Of Imo State on Policy Development, is a Financial Advisor, Tax Consultant, Fraud Examiner and Human Capital Development Expert*

*I write from Lagos*

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