Perm Sec appointment: APC blasts Gov. Aliyu

The Niger State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has condemned the recent appointments of 13 permanent secretaries by Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, saying it lacks in all the processes of civil service.

The APC, through its spokesman, Jonathan Vats,a said in a statement on Sundaythat for the state to move forward, appointment of unqualified people to such positions should be condemned and totally rejected.

According to Vatsa: “No matter the level of intimidation, the APC will not keep quiet and watch Niger State grinded to a halt; the Governor has done it again. He has used the appointment of Permanent Secretary as a political patronage.”

Reacting to APC’s statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Israel Ebije, described it as the antics of the rudderless opposition to sustain its nuisance value.

Ebije expressed concern over the reasoning of the state’s opposition, adding that they lack the administrative competence to understand the importance of the action.

Vatsa further stated that the APC considers the exalted office of a Permanent Secretary not a job for the boys, but a position where qualified career civil servants are appointed to occupy through considerations of competence, competitiveness and experience.

According to him: “The recent appointments of thirteen permanent secretaries is lacking in all these process, it is a job for political loyalist and Jobbers, we believe that for the state to move forward appointment of unqualified people to such positions should be condemned and totally rejected.

“We therefore condemned this appointment in it entirety and call for regards for excellence and competence in appointments such as the permanent secretaries. We consider the appointments as a deliberate move to destroy the state civil service that should be the engine room of service delivery.”

Ebije further said the decision of the state governor to appoint Permanent Secretaries is to reinvigorate the civil service and promote service delivery.

According to him: “It is indeed ironical to find the opposition suddenly disturbed at government decision to reposition the civil service. It only shows that the government of Dr. Aliyu is in the right direction. I would have been disturbed if they drummed support for such laudable decision. They are table tippers and nothing good can come from them.”