Following the sudden termed “indefinite leave” decision of Ajuri Ngelale, the former special adviser on Media and Publicity to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu (GCFR), another resignation has rocked the news as the special adviser on Artiste Matters to the Kwara State Governor known as “Ibraheem Abdulhameed” opted for the cease to serve option.
Abdulhameed popularly known as”Labaeka”, is a well-known Islamic singer who was born in the 80s in the capital city of Kwara State. His career in Music has immensely imparted many as his angelic vocals and soulful Genre.
His appointment came two months after the wife of the former adviser “Hajia Sidiqot Labaeka, took to social media, expressing her total disgruntlement on some appointment made by the Kwara State Governor-AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. This triggered a reaction and her husband got an appointment on 6th January 2023:
“I am pleased to convey the approval of His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Executive Governor of Kwara State on your appointment as Special Assistant, Artiste with effect from 6th January 2023.
This appointment is based on your excellent report of loyalty, steadfastness, and favorable disposition during the course of this administration. It is my expectation that you will bring all these sterling qualities to bear on your assignment in a way that this administration’s desire to take Kwara State to a greater height will be realized.
Furthermore, the appointment is a public trust. Therefore, it is hoped that you will justify the confidence reposed in you in the discharge of your responsibilities. In addition to the aforementioned, you should also make sure that you are guided by the rules and regulations of your new office and strictly adhere to the extant laws of the Office.
While congratulating you on your new appointment, you are kindly requested to indicate your acceptance of this appointment in writing to this office within Forty-Eight (48) hours of receipt of this letter, please”.
One year and eight months later (Thursday, 12th September 2024), Labaeka decided to resign from his role as Special Adviser to the Kwara State Government.
His resignation letter:
“I am writing this letter with all sense of humility and gratitude for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Special Assistant, Artiste, in your cabinet. Having served in this capacity for a period of 1 year and 7 months. I wish to respectfully tender my resignation.
Your Excellency, as you may recall, I was offered an appointment to serve as your Special Assistant, Artist, on 6th January 2023. I accepted the offer because I saw it as a call to service and an opportunity to showcase my talents. Regrettably, I have not been able to achieve any of these things. Aside from the fact that I don’t have a specific schedule of duty, circumstances have not availed me the opportunity to perform my responsibilities maximally.
Therefore, since my appointment is based on public trust. I cannot continue to break that trust by taking a salary for doing nothing. As an Islamic cleric. it is against my beliefs, and I haven’t been at peace with myself.
So I want my salary to stop immediately. I am grateful for the confidence reposed in me. And I hope that one day. I will be able to fully utilize my talents for the development of our state.”
As of the time of Labaeka’s resignation letter, the Kwara State Government has yet to make any statement concerning the letter they received.
However, in Nigeria, there has been a diverse reaction to the reason behind the indefinite leave letter written by the former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President. Many saw it as a “read-in-between-the-lines” writeup. In contrast, others decoded his words as being frustrated with the current slow state of the nation which has resulted in gross inflation, hunger, and suffering of Nigerian citizens.
The Million-Dollar Question:
It will be reasonable to emphasize the call to action. Gaining a political appointment is like accepting the privilege to serve. But as the call to duty arises, it’s expedient to have a comprehensive report that can help track lapses while still in office, for greater impact.
Could some political appointment in Nigeria be likened to “being stuck in the neutral”, “Feeling Stagnant”, “Being unproductive or inefficient”, or even “Frivolous”?. The real reason for appointments should be adhered for better accountability and rigorous growth if the country must succeed.
