Benue State: Agency Relationship Also Operates In Government!

Basically, the law of agency is an area of commercial law dealing with a set of contractual, quasi-contractual and non-contractual fiduciary relationships that involve a person, called the agent, that is authorized to act on behalf of another (called the principal) to create legal relations with a third party. The action/inaction of the agent in the course of that business binds the principal.

This form of relationship also operates in government; where the governor, for instance, appoints Aides to act for him in relation with the governed, the governor takes full responsibility of the success or failure, worthy value or nuisance value exhibited by his Aide(s) in the line of duty.

Exactly why our own governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom should take full responsibility of the nuisance value exhibited by many of his Aides (official and unofficial) on social media, in their relationship with third parties in the ordinary course of business. Nothing more, nothing less.

The uncouth and disparaging language the Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Social Media recently used on a very revered Catholic priest, Solomon Mfa, is not just an insult and assault to the sensibilities of the priest but to all the laity, the church and the entirety of the Benue populace. I have just read the post from the governor's SA and it demands a vehement opprobrium and sanction. I have also read a press release from the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, and it makes no sense to me because the Special Adviser has, in uncountable posts, encouraged these sorts of malfeasance. Recently, he motivated the popular "government e-thugs" with words of Abraham Lincoln's letter to his son's teacher to wit: "Teach him to be...tough with tough people." Therefore, that face saving attempt amounts to speaking from both sides of the mouth.

It is most unfortunate that in a 21st century world where ideas rule and where the elders have groomed and/or are grooming the younger generation to take over leadership, the leadership structure in our state is built on ones capacity to exhibit gross nuisance and possess the ability for violent propensities. Let's say it as it is. This is quite disheartening, and we must not let this to continue, for the sake of our collective destinies and for the future generations.

To Rev. Fr. Mfa Ukeyima, don't be distracted by these negative antics, please. You are not an opposition to the government. You are only a disciple of truth; which is part of your Calling. Truth hurts, sometimes. But it must be told. I don't see how your growing popularity should serve as a threat; it is only the natural result of your excellent gesture and love for humanity and truth. It is an irony that some haters of truth choose to condemn you but idolise Martin Luther King Jr. for his revolutionary movement not knowing that King Jr. was also a Clergy who also acted according to his Calling.

Furthermore, to our governor, I still remain an obedient son. Some of us would become vicariously liable for the failure or success of a governor who comes from the same local government of Guma with us and the same geo-political zone of MINDA. There is so much division and bickering in the polity and the governor cannot be blameless. The governor has an apparent and ostensible liability to the actions/utterances of his Aides, who he appointed after having full knowledge of their antecedents and dossier. The carriage and over zealousness of these agents depicts the policy thrust of the government. And this is most unfortunate!

The right time to act RIGHT is right now!

○Franc Fagah Utoo, Esq