A major controversy has erupted in the Bayelsa State Civil Service following the decision of the Head of Service (HoS), Dr Wisdom Sawyer, to bar about seven non-indigene directors from participating in a scheduled competency test held over the weekend in Yenagoa.
The affected directors were reportedly already seated at the Rooftop Auditorium of the Bayelsa Medical University, the venue of the examination, when Sawyer ordered that non-indigenes were not permitted to take part in the test.
The examination, held on Friday and Saturday between 9am and 4pm, was organised for directors on Grade Levels 16 and 17 as part of a screening process for the appointment of new permanent secretaries by Governor Douye Diri.
Sources said Sawyer’s action triggered discontent among other directors, many of whom described the treatment of their colleagues as embarrassing and discriminatory. They insisted the governor gave no such directive and suggested that Sawyer acted on his own.
One senior civil servant, who spoke in confidence, said the order came as a “rude shock” to those affected.
“We were all shocked. These same non-indigenes have served the state for years and risen to become directors. Why stop them from writing the test after shortlisting them? Not everyone who writes the test will become a permanent secretary. That decision is solely the governor’s. The HoS should have allowed them to participate,” the source said.
Another official questioned Sawyer’s authority to issue such an order, arguing that civil service rules do not permit discrimination based on state of origin.
“The way they were asked to leave the hall was demeaning. Governor Diri would never approve such an action. It violates the civil service rule of non-discrimination,” he said.
Some of the officials called on Governor Diri to intervene urgently to douse tension and prevent further division within the service. A source close to the governor emphasised that Diri is “a detribalised leader,” citing the inclusion of Commissioner Mazi Onuma Johnson, an Abia State indigene, in the state executive council.
However, in a phone interview, Sawyer defended his action, insisting that only Bayelsa indigenes are eligible for appointment as permanent secretaries. He said the pre-qualification examination was organised strictly based on the local government of origin.
“The permanent secretary position is for people who are indigenes of Bayelsa State by the local government. Which LGA will non-indigenes represent? I acted according to public service rules,” he said.
Sawyer maintained that while non-indigenes are permitted to work and rise within the civil service, the highest administrative office is reserved for indigenes.
“We employed them and made them directors. Everybody does not have to become a permanent secretary. I will still take the same decision again because I am here for Bayelsans,” he added.
He further explained that indigeneship must be verified from the records submitted at the point of entry into the civil service, adding that some candidates attempted to alter their declared LGAs shortly before the test.
Sawyer described the competency test as the most professional ever conducted in the state, noting that all eligible directors — including persons living with disabilities — were given equal opportunity. He said the exam included drafting a memo for the governor, a task he believed should not cause discomfort for any competent director.
