Since the dissolution of the Party in 1991 by its last First Secretary Ayaz Mutalibov, who became Azerbaijan's first President, there was a need to appoint a second in command to manage the newly created Presidential Administration that took over from the old party apparatus.

Under President Heydar Aliyev in 1993 the position rose to become the second after the head of state.

[2] In January 1994, the last holder of the position, Lala Shevket wrote a resignation letter as a protest against corruption in the government.

[3] The last holder of the position, Professor Lala Shevket herself told in an interview to Azerbaijan International magazine about the scope of the responsibilities of Azerbaijani Secretary of State: "There's a big difference between the United States' Secretary of State and Azerbaijan's.

My responsibility covers all aspects of government - from strategy and ideology to the war, defence, and economy.