During a departmental policy review, a permanent secretary provides confidential, technica… — JAMB UTME

During a departmental policy review, a permanent secretary provides confidential, technical advice to the political minister opposing a proposed administrative measure. After the minister overrides the advice and publicly announces the policy, the permanent secretary loyally executes the directives without defending or criticizing the decision in public. Which combination of civil service characteristics does the permanent secretary's conduct exemplify?

Political neutrality and anonymityAnswer
B
Absolute political detachment prohibiting policy advice
C
Executive immunity and legislative supremacy
D
Ministerial responsibility and political partisanship

Answer

Political neutrality and anonymity

Offering confidential expert advice internally while faithfully executing approved decisions publicly without taking credit or blame exemplifies political neutrality and anonymity. The civil servant serves the political executive impartially while the minister assumes public responsibility.

Step-by-Step Solution

Analyze the civil servant's internal action of providing confidential advice to the minister.

Established that civil servants are constitutionally required to provide expert, frank advice to political executives without compromising their non-partisan standing.

Political neutrality requires impartial service to any government in power, not silent disengagement from policy formulation.

Analyze the civil servant's external action of carrying out decisions loyally without public comment.

Identified that the officer operates under civil service anonymity, where the political minister takes public praise or blame.

Anonymity shields career civil servants from political controversy and public scrutiny.

Key Concept

Civil Service Neutrality and Anonymity

Estimated Time:1m 30s

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