More angry Nigerians are still reacting to the recent appointment of First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan as a Permanent Secretary by the Bayelsa State Government.
Below are the verdicts of some of those that spoke with Entertainment Express in a recent vox pop.
Elizabeth Onukuwa, student (UNIPORT)
I don’t think it is right. Moreover, this is not the first time this charade is taking place - she didn’t schooled in UNIPORT, yet they gave her a BSc degree, meaning that right now she is a guaduate. Well, that is Nigeria for you, there is nothing we can do about it, even if we keep on fighting everyday, we still can’t change it.
Favour Ikechukwu, Business woman
It depends on the reason why she was appointed the Permanent Secretary in the first place. But it’s not right, because she had left the civil service for long, which means maybe they are sure she can handle the position; however, based on record, there is no indication that she can handle the post.
Stanilus Obiamakeze, Business Man
All I have to say is that, the government of this country love to recycle people, and if you don’t belong to the elite, you will not be in high position. So I’m not surprise that the woman was made Permanent Secretary. After all, once you are in the government, it is assumed your family has the capability to run the affairs of this country. This kind of orientation doesn’t move a country forward because there are a thousand and one people that are capable of handling that position.
Yinka Kareem, IT developer
Definitely the appointment is not right. She has not been effective in the post she is currently occupying as the First Lady, so why appoint her as a permanent secretary? Anyway, that is the state of our country. We are used to it. But we pray for God’s intervention.
Omo Paul
That position should be for someone else and not for the First Lady. She should concentrate on what she is doing with her husband. Or is it that there is nobody else who can be the permanent secretary in that state? She is not even qualified for any post. As for her being the Permanent Secretary, I am seriously praying for Bayelsa.
Chukwuemeka Okpala
But really, what does our constitution says about it? Because that is what matters and not the public opinion. By my own opinion, I will say it’s not right, that it’s wrong, but if the constitution permits it, then there is nothing anybody can do about it. I have watched one TV programme where the discussants argued that our constitution permits it, so for that reason, there is nothing anybody can do about it.
Chioma Anazodo, Teacher
In my opinion, the appointment is wrong. I think other people should be given that opportunity, afterall she is the First Lady. She should concentrate on being the First Lady.
Marilyn Agbo, Youth corp member
I don’t see any reason why she should be the Permanent Secretary of Bayelsa State because I think she has enough to do as the First Ladyof the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the federal level rather than her concentrating on the activities in one state. In fact, what she is doing will just be dividing her attention as the First Lady and as the Permanent Secretary of Bayelsa State.
Okeke Ralph
That after leaving the civil service for more than a decade she became the Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa did not surprised me; this country is not a straight forward country so at any time anything of this nature can happen.
Chika Okpewo
In fact, I don’t know what to say. There are other people who deserve that position than the First Lady. This development shows the type of politics going on in the country, where people get positions through “order from above”. Such practices will not move this nation forward at all. Positions should be attained by merit. We still remember that Dame Patience Jonathan also got an (undeserved) degree from the University of Port Hacourt via similar dubious process. We have many bprofessors as well as top ranking government officials who are better worthy candidates for the position of the Permanent Secretary of Bayelsa State instead of the First Lady.
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