Buhari forecloses former DSS boss Daura’s return

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari

Despite pressure from some forces, including members of his kitchen cabinet, President Muhammadu Buhari has foreclosed the reinstatement of sacked Department of State Services (DSS) Director-General Lawal Daura, The Nation has learnt.

Some of the lobbyists, it was learnt, trailed the President to London to mount pressure for the reversal of Daura’s sack. He was relieved of his duties by then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo

Those against the ex-security chief’s return argued that his sack saved the nation’s democracy and boosted the Buhari administration’s democratic credentials.

The battle has since shifted to the Presidency, over the search for a new Director-General.

Some favour the retention of the office in the North. Many want acting DG Mathew Seiyefa to be confirmed to prove a point that the President has a national outlook.

The argument for Seiyefa is borne out of his having less than one year to retire. He has spent 34 years in service.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The forces pushing for Daura’s reinstatement have lost the battle because the President has foreclosed his return.

“The President has no plans to bring back Daura under any guise. He believes this administration is one and will not overrule his deputy. He is a man of discipline and not an ethnic bigot.

“What happened is that some ministers, a few kitchen cabinet members and influential people close to the President sneaked into London to meet with Buhari to overturn Daura’s sack.

“They alleged that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo sacked Daura before informing the President who was on vacation, said the source, who added:

“They were not aware that the President and the Vice President had discussed the fate of Daura and some security chiefs at least two weeks before the President proceeded on vacation in London. The two leaders had agreed on the need to effect a few changes.

“Osinbajo acted in line with the template set by his boss and acted appropriately.”

It was leaent that while in London, “a former Head of State and a minister in the kitchen cabinet advised the President to ignore these influential forces pushing for Daura’s return in view of the democratic mileage the administration scored with his removal after the unauthprised invasion of the National Assembly by hooded DSS operatives.

“The ex-Head of State warned on the diplomatic and international implications of reinstating Daura. The Minister also minced no words in confronting those who wanted the ex-DG back in office.”

Source: The Nation.

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