Balogun, in an interview with our correspondent on Thursday said the appointment was surprising and puzzling.
He said the President's wife could not have merited the appointment as the office of permanent secretary was not a political appointment but career based.
He also alleged that such an appointment indicated that the Presidency was condoning corruption.
"I was flabbergasted and puzzled when I heard it. I do not know what this country is turning to if that is the truth. I do not know what could have informed that decision, for the First Lady now to become a permanent secretary. How did they come about it? It is so incongruous and quite uncalled for. It is ridiculous.
"She could not have attained that position. She will be there doing nothing, just being redundant. It is not a political office."
Also Jimoh said the appointment was surprising. He said it was puzzling how the wife of Nigeria's President become a permanent secretary.
Meanwhile, Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the appointment had unsettled the various ministries in the Bayelsa State as many employees in the civil service were shocked at the development.
The Congress for Progressive Change described the appointment as a huge, cynical joke, lamenting that the administration of Jonathan had been turned into a theatre of humour Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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It is not surprising, we only have to know that if someone sings and the song is not interesting, the person is also hearing it but he is only waiting for someone to tell him. Indirectly, Jonathan still wants to be rulling Bayelsa State and who knows may be thats what caused disagreement between GEJ and their former governor
ReplyDeleteThey seem to be positioning to steal from a fiscal federalist Bayelsa.
ReplyDeleteWhy do people still pay money to go watch Night of a thousand laughs and so on? Stay tuned to Nigerian Govt and you will have all the comedy and jokes you want and more. Madam GEJ we hail thee.
ReplyDeleteIt is no longer a news that Jonathan has no clew what governance and administration in general is all about. Do not be surprised.
ReplyDeleteWao, Perhaps The President wants to get rid of the first Lady. Her public speech has in recent times been embarrassing to those who listen to her.
ReplyDeleteThose who are disappointed, can I just say: welcome to Nigeria - the land of absurdities!
mr President should not make himself an object of Joke. there should be order in his house. how can mrs Jonathan become a persec in Bayelsa there should some respect for the office.
ReplyDeleteWe all should try and see the big picture.... They are preparing ground for the First Lady to become Governor of Bayelsa in the nearest future.... watchout.
ReplyDeleteThis is a disgrace to the country, with all respect to her personality. How can a President's wife descend so low to accept such a position? The governor of the State is suppose to address the 1St lady as “your Excellency ma”, now she has to address the Governor as “Your Excellency sir”. What are the advisers of the 1st Lady doing? Please stop this show of shame and greed.
ReplyDeleteQuite astonishing and kiddy. Was this pre-arranged during the Brazil trip?. GEJ please carry go. If BOKO Haram does not allow u have control of Naija, take over Bayelsa... your motherstate.
ReplyDeleteAnother breaking news! So where are we going now? know who u vote for regardless of ethnic or religious consideration.
ReplyDeleteThe country is 4ked with the corruption or are we saying first lady has to relocate to Bayelsa?
Is first lady a civil servant? what ministry she works or belongs to? what level is she? what is the criteria of attaining the level of PS? what is her educational qualification?
That is why they don't regard Nigerians anywhere outside the shore of this country. People who are qualify to do the job are deprived, they we never be allowed.
I guess, it could be one of the reasons why there are many problems between Timpriye Silver and GEJ. We are watching but note, today's events become history tomorrow.
Maikus,
ReplyDeleteTher is always a fullish man to use in Nigeria fill that house of shame and for the first time, I fell for the trap and voted a spineless guy as my president. I am ashamed for my poor choice. GEJ has not shown an iota of a witty man talkless of an academic Dr. Of letters. I am not surprise he can not take care of his home, yet we gave him an overwhelmIng responsibility of piloting the afears of governance of a country so populous and diverse as Nigeria. We are in trouble. This guy cannot even define the word 'shame'.
They are turning naija into a huge fuji-house-of-jokes, Bayelsa governor thinks his state has become an honorary award giving institution.
ReplyDeleteI dey laugh o!Let OBJ comment to this Guinness book of record breaking act of Governor Bayelsa,I wish to listen to his comment on this.Let's even agree she's not residing in Bayelsa but which academic qualification does she has?Somebody should tell me!'MY FELLOW WIDOW'Let our dear president,Mr Jonathan comment on this.His government is gradually losing focus & direction.
ReplyDeleteLet me be a different voice this time. So, be merciful when u attack my submission: Has anybody checked to see if this weren't by merit? Does being a First Citizen stop some having a life of his own? Hilary Clinton maintained her law office while being the First Lady. Is there a constitutional role for a First Citizen, where a salary is paid, and which would stop them from having a normal? Of the 17 permanent Secretaries, is she the least qualified? What is the wrong doing in the appointment, pray tell? As I said at the beginning, do not crucify me for asking these questions - I be Naija man like una beooo!
ReplyDeleteIf this was in April i would have said its the president's idea of April fool
ReplyDeleteMay be they want to launch Nigeria's version of July fool.
this is just the jokest joke of the year 2012, is not surprising but interesting, of course mr president has the knife and the yam, so he could cut it to any angle. triangle,rectangle,square,circle in fact kite, my prayer is that may God not let him cut it beyond repairable b4 he leaves,amen Allah, in Jesus name. in my bottle has increase today.
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous July 13, 2012 10:00 AM
ReplyDelete"mr President should not make himself an object of Joke"? Looks like it is a little too late for that. The guy is already the butt of jokes.
This really sucks a**! And as an anonymous commenter rightly put it "I dey laugh!" This sort of thing is enough to put Nigerian comedians out of business.
@AUSTEN(Anonymous 4:53PM)
ReplyDeleteOffice of the Permanent secretary is NOT & NEVER be honorary one as it is giving in the Universities.The Perm Sec Office as it's being popularly called is the PIVOT of the ministry be it state or federal.It is for the experience fellow who is a professional in a civil service career.The are they ones to show state COMMISSIONERS OR federal MINISTER the nitty-gritty of the ministry.It's the administrative experience gathered over the years.It's not to bring anybody from anywhere!Remember,each ministry has its own ethics,practice & professionalism guiding it.U ve to be a staff of a particular ministry,writing different exams based on the experience acquired over the years,gaining promotion from one cadre into another higher ones before you can become Perm sec.(No matter how a man can drive cars well based on his experience,u can never be assigned to fly plane).Mr Austen,i believe u will understand now.I read your comment and your request for someone to enlighten u.
when will madam stop embarrassing her husband and Nigerians.As if the grammar missiles are not enough. its only in Nigeria you see this type of public display of crass ignorance, i beg what does she want again? its really a case of mischief for idle hands.
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous, July 14, 2012 1:23 PM
ReplyDeleteI do really understand the issue at stake. Thanks, anyway for your attempt t help clarify the matter. What I really needed are facts on the matter. None of those who have complained and called Mr. President names has as yet proved his wife doesn't work in the said ministries. Nobody expects a career worker to give up his/her profession because his/her spouse became a public officer. I asked a cogent question which you failed to answer: Does she work in the civil service of that state? In addition, could anyone tell if there are people who are before her that didn't promoted while she was? Even if she was the president's wife, she can still be a worker, like any other. The issue here is people scream foul as if they know surely that she doesn't deserve the promotion by merit. The guy who cared to answer me, insists that this position is NOT honorary. I agree. If she got the promotion by proven nepotism, and not by meritorious service, then deal with as you see fit. But do not crucify her because she is the president's wife.
@ Austen
ReplyDeleteYes dear, you are right, no one , not one of these people making all these criticism has been able to proffer an answer to the pertinent question you put forward"can it be proved that she is not a staff in any ministry in Bayelsa State"?.
In as much as am not a fan nor supporter of GEJ and his beloved Dame patience, I love to be objective in issues, why make all these noise when you cant prove anything? You cant even answer a simple question like is she a staff in any ministry?
I advise we get our facts before we start crying wolf!It makes the world a better place.
GEJ and his Dame may have their issues, but let's not become like them by the simple reason that we didn't do our home-works well before crying crucify him. So I advise everyone who has made one unpleasant comment or the other here, to please be very certain before you embark on this crucifixion exploit.