Although both claimed to have resigned, sources within the Presidency insinuated that they may had been advised to do so based on certain lapses observed in intelligence gatherings by their agencies.
It would be recalled that the former President renewed the DSS DG’s tenure in 2022 and he was to end the second term in 2026.
So, his abrupt resignation from service mid-way into his second tenure raised a lot of eyebrows.
Also, the appointment of the former NIA’s boss in 2019 and the renewal of his tenure in 2022 sparked controversies in the service. Some senior officials within the secret service then raised issues concerning Abubakar’s competence, amongst others.
An anonymous source within the Presidency, who volunteered comments on the development, said: “The sack of those officers is long overdue. They stayed in office to this time probably because the President would not want to be seen as rocking the boat. But recent developments showed that the officers had to go because their agencies have begun to slack in their responsibilities.”
A serving intelligence officer, who offered comments on condition of anonymity disclosed:”The Presidency has not been comfortable with these men, especially the former DSS man, because of failure of intelligence in the fight against insecurity in the country. You will see that the Army has always been lamenting dearth of intelligence in dealing with the criminals. As for the NIA boss, failure of intelligence at the international level exposed him. Remember that a Chinese company has been seizing Nigeria’s assets up and down of recent. If the NIA under Abubakar’s leadership had been proactive, this national disgrace could have been averted. This is an embarrassment to the country and no leader worth his salt would continue with such a spy chief.”
Asked why it seemed the President has continued to remove Buhari’s men from positions, another source, a civil servant, in the Presidency,said: “Most of the people removed have one issue or the other. You will notice that the former President rarely cautioned any of his appointees, even when they erred or failed to deliver on their mandates. You will notice that most of the officials removed got their appointments renewed under Buhari, even when it was obvious that they failed in discharging their responsibilities. Again, most of them got the appointments by nepotism and not by merit. Tinubu came with the determination to put the right man for the job, so as to get desired results.”
Aside the resignation of the two spy men, it would appear that the President has systematically been replacing Buhari’s men with those he considered capable, competent and loyal to his administration.
A cursory look at some of his appointees so far, especially those manning important positions in his administrations, indicate that the President was intentional in ensuring that those, who shared in his Renewed Hope vision were appointed into sensitive offices.
For instance, the President removed the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele and appointed Olayemi Cardoso as replacement.
Emefiele was initially appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014 but his 5-year tenure was renewed by his successor, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019. He was suspended from office on June 9, 2023 by President Bola Tinubu and has since been facing prosecution for financial malfeasance.
The President also replaced Bello Koko with Abubakar Dantosho as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
At the completion of Bashir Jamoh’s tenure as the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the President did not consider any extension for him but immediately named Dr. Dayo Mobereola as his replacement.
At the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting (NSPM), the President sacked Ahmed Halilu as the Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) and appointed Sule Minjibir in his stead.
Halilu was widely reported as an elder brother to Aisha Buhari, wife of the former President, and he was appointed as the NSPM’s helmsman in 2022.
At the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), the President ordered the sack of Muhammad Nami as the Chairman and appointed Zach Adedeji as his replacement.
Adedeji was a Special Adviser to the President on Revenue before his appointment as the FIRS Chairman.
These and many others indicated that the President was intentional in clearing out Buhari’s men and planting those he could trust to deliver in his Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to a release by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed was appointed the new Director-General of the NIA while Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi has been made the new Director-General of the DSS.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Abubakar, the immediate past Director-General (D-G) of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), received a warm reception from the Katsina Emirate Council and Katsina residents on Friday.
Abubakar, also the Sardaunan Katsina, who recently resigned his position, arrived his hometown, Katsina, on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the former D-G was received by officials of the emirate council, family members, friends and well wishers.
Immediately, he landed at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Airport, he passed through the streets of Katsina, where he received praises by residents, as he went to the emir’s palace.
At the palace, he condoled with the Emir, Dr Abdulmuminu Kabir-Usman, over the death of his younger brother, Hassan Kabir-Usman.
NAN reports that Hassan, also the Sarkin Dawakin Cikin Gida, died recently after a brief illness.
The Ex-NIA boss commended the emirate council for the support given to him throughout his years of service in the country’s security intelligence body and pledged to continue to give the emirate council necessary support required.
The emir welcomed Abubakar to Katsina and commended him for serving the nation meritoriously.
The former D-G, who spent seven years in office, serving two administrations of former President Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu, announced his resignation on August 24, after meeting with Tinubu in Abuja.