The former chairman of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission [NHRC], Prof. Chidi Odinkalu has intoned that, although Lawal Musa Daura has been sacked as the Department of State Security [DSS] Director General, he is still in charge at the office “through proxy”.
Prof. Odinkalu’s comment followed the appointed of Yusuf Magaji Bichi as the new DSS DG by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday.
Odinkalu ran a brief biography of Bichi and noted that he was retired after 35 years of service in 2017 as Daura’s Finance and Admin Director.
He was, however, retained by Lawal Daura for few months and then released in February, 2018.
He concluded by saying that it is likely through Bichi that “Daura will run the agency by proxy”, noting that “it could get worse”.
See tweets:
Magaji Bichi, whom @MBuhari just made DG SSS was Lawal Daura's #ManFRIDAY. He retired last yr as Director, Finance, after 35yrs in service
Chidi Odinkalu
President Buhari, had on Thursday, appointed Yusuf Bichi as the new Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The president kicked out Mr. Mathew Seiyefa, who was appointed as acting DG by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, following the sack of the former DG, Lawal Daura.
The appointment fuelled allegations of nepotism and tribalism against President Buhari, considering that Seiyefa is from Southern Nigeria and Bichi is from the North.
Besides he was a strong loyalist of Daura’s and his appointment simply means that Daura was still in charge by proxy.
Apart from Chidi Odinkalu, several Nigerians have cast aspersions on Buhari for the appointment of Magaji Bichi as new DSS DG.
It could be recalled that the President Buhari had also brought Daura, his kinsman, out of retirement to head the DSS.
Under his leadership, the service became notorious for all kinds of legal and human rights violations, ranging from illegal detentions to forced disappearances and tortures.
He was sacked following the DSS blockade of the National Assembly complex in August by Vice President Osinbajo while Buhari was away in London on annual vacation.
He was reportedly queried for ordering the NASS blockade but allegedly retorted that he was answerable only to the President.
He was thereafter sacked and taken into custody for questioning by the police and accused of alligning with some politicians to undermine the Buhari administration.
Nothing else was heard about the investigation until Bichi was suddenly appointed to head the secret agency yesterday.
See reactions from Nigerians over Bichi’s appointment and Seiyefa’s removal:
If Buhari must recall a retired officer to head the DSS, why would he not retain the outgoing Seiyefa. I was dumbfounded when i learned that the new DG DSS was retired in 2017 while the former DG, Daura’s saga is still fresh in our memories. @segalink
Dunno why @MBuhari deliberately makes things difficult for we his supporters. He should know that perception is important in politics; sometimes even more important than reality. This DG DSS appointment is wrong in all ramifications.
Dear President @MBuhari, you have spoken loudly and clearly once again that “you don’t belong to everybody” with the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi as the new DG of DSS. Is there a special agenda behind this one-side appointment of special security chiefs from one region?
Ncomprindy-reScottsdale Diana Thomas link
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