Editorial: When Political Allegiance Trumps Governance

The recent statement by Governor Okpebholo—warning commissioners that they risk dismissal if they refuse to wear a Tinubu cap—is more than a mere expression of political preference. It is a stark reminder of the dangers of conflating public service with partisan loyalty.

Government officials are appointed to serve the people, manage portfolios, and ensure the efficient operation of the state. Their primary allegiance must be to the constitution, the public good, and the responsibilities of their office—not to a political figure or a symbolic accessory. When political loyalty becomes a prerequisite for public service, competence, accountability, and independent judgment are instantly undermined.

Threatening commissioners over something as trivial as a cap trivializes the very office they hold. Leadership is not about enforcing conformity or staging political theatrics; it is about vision, integrity, and the ability to make decisions that benefit citizens. By prioritizing symbols over substance, such actions risk reducing government to a chamber of yes-men, where merit and professionalism are secondary to partisan theatrics.

Democracy demands that public officials exercise their conscience without fear of reprisal for their political choices—provided those choices do not impede their duties. Citizens deserve leaders who champion development, transparency, and good governance, not those who weaponize loyalty tests over symbolic displays.

Gov. Okpebholo’s warning is a cautionary tale. Public office is a trust, not a costume. Governance should be about serving the people, not performing partisan pageantry. It is imperative that our leaders remember this distinction if they are to honor the responsibilities entrusted to them.