Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Condemn Appointment Of New DSS DG
LAGOS SEPTEMBER 14TH (NEWSRANGERS)-Southern and Middle Belt leaders on Thursday said President Muhammadu Buhari has passed a vote of no confidence in ‘One Nigeria’ with the appointment of a new Department of State Services (DSS) Director General.
President Buhari on Thursday replaced Matthew Seiyefa, the Acting Director-General of DSS, with Yusuf Magaji Bichi.
The leaders had raised the alarm over purported plans by some cabals in the presidency to remove Matthew Seiyefa. They had alleged that plot to remove Seiyefa was hinged on the professional reorganisation of DSS which the cabals are not happy with.
The group in a statement jointly signed by Chief E.K Clark (South South); Chief Ayo Adebanjo (South West), Chief John Nwodo (South East) and Dr. Bitrus Pogu (Middle Belt) said having looked at the qualifications of both men, Bichi, the new DSS DG, does not come near Seiyefa in terms of experience.
The group said, “The outright disregard for the conditions precedent for a united Nigeria and an inclusive country which President Buhari has become well known for was taken to a new height this evening with the removal of the Acting DG of DSS, Mr. Matthew Seiyefa and replacement with Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi from Kano.
“The I-don’t-care and in-your-face attitude of the president in restoring Nigeria’s security architecture to the provocative situation of having 16 out of 17 service chiefs from his corner of the country is a clear demonstration of the fact that Nigeria for General Muhammadu Buhari is no more than his section of Nigeria and the resources and the constitutionally mandatory votes from other sections of the country.
“Since 1960, Nigeria has never had a leader more sectional, narrow, parochial and tribalistic like the current president who went on a global stage to divide Nigeria into ‘97% and 5%’.
“We have looked critically at the profiles of the Acting DG who was removed and the one Buhari just appointed and it is crystal clear that Bichi does not come with any experience close to that of Seiyefa. The only qualification for this appointment is therefore only the rabid nepotism of the president which has seen him always masking personal and sectional interest as ‘national interest’.
“Besides, Bichi is an out-of-the-system man drafted by Mr. Lawan Daura in the days of his nepotism rule at the DSS. The next six most senior persons in line of succession at the DSS after Seiyefa are from our findings all southerners which may explain why the president picked a man who already retired from the DSS to lead because of ethnic affinity.
“That the president went ahead to deep himself further into the cocoon of ethnic irredentism in making this insensitive appointment shows clearly that he does not care a hoot about the unity, cohesion and oneness of Nigeria.
“We reject this appointment and we do not shy in telling Mr. President that he no longer pretends that the country is one under him.
“In the last few days, there have been fears coming from the international community about the dangers that would come the way of Nigeria if Mr. President returns for another term. With his latest action, we add that the country is not safe in the remainder of his first term.
“Lastly, we ask Mr. President: Are we still one county?”
Buhari approved with effect from September 14 the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi (fwc) as new Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The appointment of Bichi became public through a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
The statement listed Bichi’s profile to include attending Danbatta Secondary School, the Kano State College of Advanced Studies and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he graduated with a degree in Political Science.
The new Director-General began his career in the security division of the Cabinet Office in Kano, from where he joined the defunct Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO), the precursor of the present DSS.
Bichi has undergone training in intelligence processing analysis, agent handling recruitment and intelligence processing in the UK, as well as strategic training at the National Defence College.
The new DSS boss comes to the job with skills in intelligence gathering, research analysis, conflict management, general investigation, risk and vulnerability operations, counter intelligence and protective operation and human resources management.
In the course of his career, Bichi has worked as the State Director of Security in Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto and Abia.
He was at various times the Director, National Assembly Liaison (National War College), Director at National Headquarters in the Directorate of Security Enforcement, Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Inspection and Directorate of Administration and Finance.
He also served as Director at State Service Academy.
Bichi is married and with children.
Recall that the former DSS boss, Lawal Daura, was sent packing unceremoniously following his role in the siege laid at the National Assembly recently.
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Posted by News Rangers
on Sep 14 2018. Filed under National.
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