BEVERLY HILLS, October 23, (THEWILL) – First Lady Patience Jonathan has surprisingly resigned her appointment as Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Civil Service, the first open confirmation that all is not well between her and state Governor, Mr. Serieke Dickson, who approved her appointment in July 2012, a few months after his swearing-in as Governor of the state.
There have been speculations that the 57-year-old Mrs. Jonathan and Dickson have fallen out over issues relating to governance and contract awards in the President’s home state.
Senior Bayelsa State Government sources with knowledge of the development said her resignation was voluntary even though her relations with the state governor have remained frosty in the past months.
According to civil service rules Mrs Jonathan still had at least three years to reach the mandated 60 years age limit before retiring.
THEWILL also recalls that the first lady is also at war with Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, the ruler of her home state, over her bid to influence how the state is governed.
