Power intoxicates like fermented grapes. A little taste of it corrupts a monk; too much of it however, corrupts absolutely. Little wonder many a man or woman ennobled with power dreads the day he or she would be without power. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire former Deputy Governor of Lagos state enjoyed so much power in her high office. This perhaps explains her desperation to remain a part of Nigeria’s privileged circuit of the powerful and influential.
Her recent appointment as the Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) would make her relevant in the Nigerian political scene no doubt. But the troubling rhetoric in regards to her recent appointment revolves around its appropriateness for a woman of her status. Many are of the opinion that her recent appointment is hardly a promotion. They argue that it is a demotion of the former deputy governor of Lagos state considering the powerful seat she once occupied.
Orelope-Adefulire has over the past 20 years, carved a niche for herself as an accomplished grassroots politician with a passion for the emancipation of the womenfolk and youth development, especially girl-child education. She also served twice as a Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. No doubt President Buhari will find her very resourceful and helpful despite speculations that the position of a Special Adviser does not befit a woman of her status.
Notwithstanding, Orelope-Adefulire has accepted the appointment, thus guaranteeing her continual relevance in the Nigerian political and social scene. For a woman of her status, must she still work for the government? While her former boss, the former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola was made a Minister, Adejoke has been appointed a Special Assistant rather than been given a much more valuable position at the Federal or State Level. Politicians and their ways.
