Exactly five days to the retirement of Ms Amma Pepple as head of service of the federation, five permanent secretaries have emerged as front runners in the race for the top post.
The five front runners for the office of the nation’s number one civil servant are Dr Hakeeen Baba-Ahmed, the permanent secretary, General Services, in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Steve Oronsanye, permanent secretary, ministry of finance, Dr Goke Adegoroye, permanent secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Prof. Dapo Afolabi, permanent secretary, cabinet secretariat in the office of the SGF, and Dr Raheem Ogunbambi, permanent secretary, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The race appeared to be a straight tussle between the North and the South-west though Oronsanye is from Edo State in the South-south zone. While Baba Ahmed from Kaduna State is the only Northerner in the race, Adegoroye (Ondo State), Afolabi (Oyo State) and Ogunbambi (Lagos State) are all from the South-west zone.
THISDAY learnt that any civil servant of permanent secretary cadre is qualified to be named as head of service but experience and geo-political calculations are sometimes key considerations in naming the head of service.
While political leaders and bureaucrats from the North are seriously pushing for Baba-Ahmed to clinch the post, South-west leaders are arguing that the zone has never produced a head of service and that the zone has eminently qualified candidates all of whom can favourably compete in terms of experience, exposure and educational qualification.
Also, Oronsanye, the only candidate from outside the two competing geo-political zones is said to be calling on his wide contacts in the presidency where he served for almost eight years as permanent secretary, State House under the Obasanjo administration.
Baba Ahmed is believed to be the most senior permanent secretary having being appointed into that cadre in 1998. He has since then served as permanent secretary in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ministries of works and housing, foreign affairs and the Special services office in the office of the SGF. His candidacy enjoys the support of the North which is believed to be intensely craving for the post.
Oronsanye’s candidacy will come on strong if President Yar’Adua decides to broaden the catchment area. He is said to be the only candidate among the five with private sector background.
An Accountant, Oronsanye came into government from Peat Marwick, Ani, Ogunde firm of chartered accountants from where he served as personal assistant to his former boss, Chief Anthony Ani. Ani served the Abacha government as Minister of Finance.
He left government with Ani when the Abdulsalami government changed the cabinet in 1998 but he was brought back to the presidency in 1999 when the then newly elected president Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him as permanent secretary, State house.
Oronsaye’s opponents believe he does not have the necessary civil service experience but they are afraid he has extensive contacts in the presidency which may come to his aid in the jostle for this top job.
Adegoroye who is due for retirement next year has been permanent secretary, Ministry of education, and director general, Bureau of Public Services and he is an experienced bureaucrat.
Afolabi was permanent secretary in the ministries of labour and agriculture and water resources. He has four more years to spend in the federal Civil Service.
Ogunbambi, formerly a research fellow at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, is due for retirement in September this year. An academic and bureaucrat, Ogunbambi is an experienced civil servant who is equally well connected.
The front-runners for the post of head of service are all men perhaps, according to a source, because the last two occupants of the post are women.
A source said the appointment of the head of service may be part of the shuffling and calculation that President Yar’Adua may have to contend with in the next few weeks as four top positions in the public service have to be filled in the next two months.

The post are that of Head of Service, Inspector General of police whose occupant, Sir Mike Okiro will be retiring next month, Controller General of Customs and Auditor-General of the Federation. The last two positions are not being occupied by substantive holders.
It is believed that in the spirit of federal character, the President may have to spread the positions among the six geo-political zones while also ensuring that competence, suitability and experience of the candidates are given sufficient consideration

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=145463

The isue here is;

why appoint people who have almost reached retirement age into top bureaucratic position. There needs to be continuity in government. Ms Pepple was only appointed last year, and she will retire in five months time! The same with the appoint of IGP Mike Okiro. When we all know that he will have to retire in 2009, what is the point of appointing him as IGP.

Western bureaucratic system will NEVER appoint anyone reaching retirement into any senior position. The truth is most of this people really have nothing to offer.

But I know the answer - Federal Character! This issue of federal character is killing us softly!