ZIK GBEMRE SPEAKS ON OKOWA AND THE EVIL OF POLITICISING PERM SECS APPOINTMENTS

Are Permanent Secretaries not civil servants? Is it not foolery to appoint Permanent Secretaries and engage them in swearing-in dramas as if they are political appointees?

In the time past permanent secretaries were the most senior civil service workers in their respective departments and ministries. When one retires the next most senior person in rank will step in as a permanent secretary.

Then there were respect for ethics and discipline in the government departments/ministries. Gen Ibrahim Babangida as a Military Head of State changed the title of permanent secretaries to directors-general and started appointing them and since then civil service has been watered down.

One has to be connected to be sworn in as a permanent secretary these days. It is no longer seniority and merit in the civil service. Even a junior civil service worker can be appointed by a sitting governor or president.

The civil service has been bastardised and destroyed and the most unworthy worker are appointed to head his senior due to connections. All kinds of unworthy workers are being favoured.

One must be a card carrying member of a ruling party to be appointed a permanent secretary. It is no longer based on merit and seniority as it were. Promotions in the civil service were based on merit to rise to become the most senior civil service worker that ends with a permanent secretary position which is the highest in the government ministries/departments.

It is unproductive to appoint permanent secretaries as political appointees. A partisan civil service has become the bain of governance in Nigeria.

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