Buhari weighs options as race for substantive DSS DG begins

President Muhammadu Buhari is considering confirming Mathew Seiyefa as the substantive Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) or appointing a new head.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was in acting capacity while Buhari was in London, fired the former DG Lawal Daura.

The sack followed the siege at the National Assembly by DSS operatives, a development which sparked outrage across the country and abroad.

Prominent individuals, groups and members of the international community condemned what they described as an attack on the country’s legislature.

But the president is still under pressure to reinstate Daura or give him another role in government.

However, dailypost reports that while some forces want the retention of the office in the North, others are urging the president to confirm Seiyefa.

According to the latter group, elevating the Bayelsa-born top officer to substantive DG will boost the president’s image and quell feelings that he is an “ethnic bigot” who has allegedly favoured the Northern region in security appointments.

However, Seiyefa has just about one year before his retirement, having spent 34 years in service.

Seiyefa was said to have “lost” the position to former DG Ita Ekpenyong in 2010, who was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Sources say he may be favoured this time as compensation for his hardwork over the decades.

Seiyefa is the most senior deputy Deputy Director-General out of the four incumbent DDGs.

But if President Buhari decides to overlook them and pick someone below their rank, the quartet will have to retire.