Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin branch, Mr. Rafiu Balogun, and leader of Committee of Muslim Organisations, Kwara State, Prof. Shehu Jimoh, on Thursday in Ilorin, described the appointment of the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan as one of the 17 new Permanent Secretaries in Bayelsa State civil service as surprising and shocking.

Balogun, in an interview with our correspondent on Thursday said the appointment was surprising and puzzling.

He said the President's wife could not have merited the appointment as the office of permanent secretary was not a political appointment but career based.

He also alleged that such an appointment indicated that the Presidency was condoning corruption.

"I was flabbergasted and puzzled when I heard it. I do not know what this country is turning to if that is the truth. I do not know what could have informed that decision, for the First Lady now to become a permanent secretary. How did they come about it? It is so incongruous and quite uncalled for. It is ridiculous.

"She could not have attained that position. She will be there doing nothing, just being redundant. It is not a political office."

Also Jimoh said the appointment was surprising. He said it was puzzling how the wife of Nigeria's President become a permanent secretary.

Meanwhile, Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the appointment had unsettled the various ministries in the Bayelsa State as many employees in the civil service were shocked at the development.

The Congress for Progressive Change described the appointment as a huge, cynical joke, lamenting that the administration of Jonathan had been turned into a theatre of humour.