First Lady Patience Jonathan Resigns As Perm Secretary

President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, has resigned her appointment as Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Civil Service.

Some are however speculating that she resigned because of an alleged rift between her the governor of the state, Seriake Dickson which was triggered by her unwillingness to support him for his second term ambition.

Patience Jonathan reportedly has a preference for the Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Matters, Mr. Waripamowei Dudafa and is said to have resigned so she can have the moral justification to fight with the governor ahead of the approaching governorship election.

Though most of the civil servants at state’s Ministry of Education on Thursday refused to comment on the issue, it was learnt from reliable sources that the ministry had computed her terminal benefits already.

One of the sources who spoke on condition of anonymity 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.”

Confirming the first lady’s resignation, a who did not want his name in print for fear of victimization said she was not aware Patience resigned for political reasons.

“I can say Dame Patience Jonathan has voluntarily retired. But whether there is political undertone in her resignation, I cannot say.


“I think the First Lady felt that her continued stay as Permanent Secretary will be depriving others. Now that she has thrown in the towel, it will afford others the opportunity to take her position.

“Already, in accordance with the civil service rules, we have prepared all her entitlements. Whatever is due her will be given to her. She will also be receiving her pension,” he stated.


Patience Jonathan was one of the appointed 17 permanent secretaries in the state civil service in July 2012. At the time, her appointment was trailed with controversy as some Bayelsans expressed misgivings about it and the extent to which the civil service was politicised.