Updated: February 26, 2021
By Shehu Zakari, Today News Africa correspondent in Abuja
The Acting President of Nigeria, Mr. Yemi Osinbajo, has sacked the head of the country’s secret service agency while President Muhammadu Buhari is on leave in London.
The Department of State Services boss, Mr. Lawal Musa Daura, was sacked on Tuesday morning, hours after his men invaded the National Assembly complex and prevented opposition Senators from going in.
It was a plot to allow Senators loyal to Nigerian President to remove Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, who dumped the President’s party last week and joined the opposition, according to former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, who issued a strongly worded statement describing the move as illegal and undemocratic.
The acting president’s spokesman, Mr. Laolu Akande, announced the sack of Mr. Daura on Twitter.
AgP Yemi Osinbajo has directed the termination of the appointment of the DG of the DSS, Mr. Lawal Musa Daura.— Laolu Akande (@akandeoj) August 7, 2018
AgP Yemi Osinbajo has directed the termination of the appointment of the DG of the DSS, Mr. Lawal Musa Daura.
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— Laolu Akande (@akandeoj) August 7, 2018
His tweets were followed by a statement condemning the invasion of the National Assembly by Mr. Daura’s men.
Why it matters: Nigerians go to the polls in seven months and tension has been rising with many politicians abandoning the president’s party and joining the opposition. They have promised to defeat the retired major general turned democrat who was elected in 2015 with fanfare, promising to revamp the dying economy, crush Boko Haram terrorists and kill corruption before “it kills Nigeria”.
So far, his promises have not materialized and almost four years have gone. Now, Nigerians seem to be yearning for a different messiah.
Read full statement by Vice President condemning the invasion of the Nigerian National Assembly by Secret Service agents on Tuesday morning.
ACTING PRESIDENT CONDEMNS UNAUTHORIZED TAKEOVER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has described the unauthorized takeover of the National Assembly complex earlier today as a gross violation of constitutional order, rule of law and all accepted notions of law and order.
According to him, the unlawful act which was done without the knowledge of the Presidency is condemnable and completely unacceptable.
By this statement, Professor Osinbajo is consequently assuring Nigerians that all persons within the law enforcement apparatus who participated in this travesty will be identified and subjected to appropriate disciplinary action.
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity,
Office of the Acting President,
07 August, 2018
