Posted on Mar 19, 2020
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has told appointees in his cabinet to forget their personal relationship with him in the past and relate with him as governor, if they intend to help him recover the state from its ruins.
Uzodinma, who gave me the advice on Thursday during a three-day retreat for executive members and other top government officials of the state at Concorde Hotel, Owerri, noted that he has personal relationship with most of the appointees.
The governor said: “As those who have come a long way with me in politics, I am sure you are all aware of where we are coming from. I need not remind you that all eyes are on us to know what we make of the mandate Imo people gave us. You also know that we are not in short supply of detractors and enemies of progress. You must therefore remain very vigilant and not allow yourself to bring dishonour to this administration.
“The fact that I have a personal relationship with most of you makes it necessary to sound this note of warning: There is now a new order with a great difference. We are now in government and no longer in our private lives. You must forget that personal relationship after this retreat and buy into a new order of genuine service to the government and people of Imo state.
“This means that you are duty bound to buy into my vision as the governor and live by it. More importantly wisdom demands that you separate that old personal relationship from your relationship with the governor and the government. Those who fail to do so may find that they may have themselves to blame”.
Uzodinma told the appointees to consider themselves really privileged to have made the list of the new Imo team.
“I painstakingly chose each and every one of you on merit based on your commendable pedigree and commitment to our struggle. But that is as far as your team membership goes”, he said.