Kehinde Fajobi
Otunba Segun Showunmi, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, has urged Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain cautious of hypocrites as he marks his 50th birthday.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Showunmi congratulated Fubara and advised him to prioritise good governance while acknowledging those who supported his rise to power.
He said, “Beware of friends who scream your praises, and never forget to always find space to reconnect with yourself, within yourself.
“It is the nature of people to praise today and curse immediately when the tides turn and you have fewer favours to dispense. It is especially so in that environment where you operate.
“I have been around long enough to see them for the hypocrites they are. Nevertheless, I trust that you will take things in your strides.”
Showunmi reminded the governor that his position is a product of both human effort and divine grace.
He said, “You must use the enviable position to impact your space and do as much good as you can to all that comes your way.”
Quoting former military leader General Ibrahim Babangida, Showunmi shared, “When climbing onto the top of the leadership ladder, someone or some people own the ladder you use to climb, and as you climb, they become smaller in one’s eyes for you are elevated by the ascension.
“They will keep their ladder. The top will get very hot for you at some point, as it has for all at the top sometimes. If you treat the owners of the ladder mindfully, they will produce the ladder for your climb down; otherwise, they will leave you to jump down with its attendant consequences.”
He concluded by urging Fubara to create new leaders for Rivers State’s progress and prayed for divine strength to sustain the governor’s administration and family.