Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has explained reason he reversed appointment 15 Permanent Secretaries by immediate former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Governor Makinde while swearing in 14 new Permanent Secretaries on Thursday said he discovered that due diligence was not followed in the appointments.
Recall that the Makinde administration had upon inauguration in May, reversed the appointments of 17 permanent secretaries made by immediate past governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi at the twilight of his administration.
He recalled that after his inauguration, he did a review of the appointments and why they were done ‘hastily’ and discovered that the process was fraught with irregularities.
Ajagbe who was said to have gotten to the top of the civil service ladder but was never appointed Permanent Secretary by the former administration, was one of the “irregularities” the governor most probably made an ammendment to. Another ammendment was Alli who was compulsorily retired three days after he was appointed Perm Sec.
Meanwhile, the inauguration of the new Perm Sec. took place today as the 14 new commissioners were sworn-in.
Although 15 people were originally shortlisted as Perm. secs, only 14 took the oath of office and allegiance administered on them by Director of Cabinet, Mr Fatai Omokemi. The new Perm Secs include five women and nine men.
The event took place at the Executive Chamber of the Oyo State Governor’s Office at the state secretariat.
The news came as a surprise to workers in the state as they were only expecting new commissioners today.
The list of the new Permanent Secretaries
Mrs Olubunmi Oni
Mr Fatai Oladeinde
Mrs Adejoke Eyitayo
Mrs Sadiat Oloko
Mr Joel Ajagbe
Mr Olayinka Alli
Mrs Abosede Abioye
Mr Adebowale Balogun
Mr Ademola Ajibola
Dr Mufutau Ayoola
Dr Mercy Popoola
Mr Akin Funilayo
Mr Adeyanju B. A
Mr Gafar Bello (Accountant-General)
Governor Makinde who urged the new appointees to be diligent in the discharge of their duties, noted that all the appointees are worthy of the positions. He stressed that his government is not interested in witch-hunting of any individual.
