First Lady Resigns As Permanent Secretary

Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has resigned her position as a Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Civil Service

  Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan

Patience Jonathan, the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan has resigned her position as a Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Civil Service.

The first lady is said to have vacated her position in the state Ministry of Education voluntarily but reports have it that her resignation might be connected with a rift between her and the state Governor, Seriake Dickson.

The governor and the first lady are said to have disagreed over the former’s ambition to be re-elected as governor for a second term.

Mrs. Jonathan was appointed as a permanent secretary in July 2012 leading to widespread criticism about her playing dual roles and being unsuitable for the position.

 A ministry source reportedly said:

“The whole thing is political. It appears Madam Peace is not happy with the governor. With her resignation, the battle-line has been drawn.”

“I feel the President’s wife resigned to enable her to have the moral right to slug it out with Dickson ahead of the governorship poll in the state. Let no one deceive you, the whole thing is politics. After all, she is 57 and the retirement age is 60.”

However, reports have it that the first lady’s terminal benefits and pension won’t be affected by her resignation as they are already being prepared.