Vice President Kashim Shettima has cautioned political aides against the reckless handling of official correspondence.
Shettima gave the warning at the opening ceremony of the retreat and sensitization programme for political aides on administrative procedure and governance in the public sector, organised by the State House on Monday.
The vice president noted that severe consequences await aides who reveal official secrets.
“From today, your words and actions will undergo more intense scrutiny, occasionally even rigorous criticism,” he told the aides.
Speaking to participants including political aides and senior civil servants on the topic ‘Forging a path to responsible governance: A call to political aides’, Shettima said: “The responsibility you carry isn’t merely about fulfilling your role; it encompasses the aspirations of our entire nation.”
He continued: “From this very moment, you’re bound by the laws of our land in all matters of official correspondence. These laws outline the consequences for both intentional and unintended mishandling of the information entrusted to your care.
“Should you falter in this duty, the consequences would ripple far beyond the intricate fabric of governance. They could erode public trust, jeopardize national security and undermine the very integrity of our administration.
“Understand that your credibility, that of your team, your superiors, and indeed, the entire government, rests in the balance, and history reminds us that very few have emerged unscathed from the aftermath of such ethical lapses.”
The retreat, organised in conjunction with Direct Knowledge Consult Ltd, was designed to facilitate the aides’ transition and equip them with the fundamental tenets of public sector administration and governance.
