Buhari’s aides tense over Babachir, Oke suspension

Many Nigerians applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for suspending Babachir Lawal to facilitate unfettered investigations into alleged infractions. His fate had been unclear since October 2016, shortly after the Senate constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate utilization of funds released to the Presidential Initiative on the North-East (PINE).

Analysts over the past several months have placed President Buhari’s fight against corruption on a moral scale, even as notable opposition political party PDP relentlessly accused the incumbent administration of a one-sided crusade.

According to them, here was Babachir Lawal, accused of compromise, being shielded by the president, even asking for more facts. Therefore, the bigger credit that manifested after the suspension of Lawal is that the action had served as a morale-booster for the much-trumpeted anti-corruption fight of the Buhari administration.

Although the crime trailing suspended NIA boss Oke appears more damning in the court of public opinion, Lawal had been in the front burner of criticism considering the fact that he was the engine room of the administration.

Rholavision Engineering, a company owned by Lawal, received payments of about $500,000 from a contract he awarded for the clearing of “invasive plant species” in Yobe State. Oke, the Director-General of  NIA is embroiled in the discovery of $43 million in cash by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a private apartment in Lagos.

The suspensions have, according to a Presidency source, cast a cloak of apprehension among Buhari’s aides, a few of whom have issues of credibility dogging them. “Even here at the Villa, the tension is palpable,” the source said, adding: “But they all know the man (President Buhari), if you’re not guilty of anything, then you should feel free.”

Barrister Aminu Mohammed, a legal practitioner based in Jos, Plateau State, said with the suspension of Lawal, President Buhari has calmed frayed nerves. “The message is clear, he (Buhari) wanted to clear his conscience very well that the former SGF needs to bear his own cross, and therefore suspended him; I think the president was careful not to sacrifice his long-time relationship on the basis of hearsay or preliminary report,” he said.

Barrister Mohammed said while Lawal left  the scene based on alleged corruption charges, Buhari would now have to contend with the daunting challenge of similar charges or accusations against more of his aides. According to him, the stalemate at the Senate will not abate by just the departure of Lawal, as senators would wait tactically until all those constituting an obstacle on their way, directly or indirectly, are done with.

Mr Bayo Ani, a political analyst, also said besides the political powerplay between the Presidency and the National Assembly, many Nigerians were also expecting  Buhari to do something about some people in his administration to stabilize the polity. “Herein lies the issue of tempering with the status quo for the sake of the rule of law and for the sake of political expediency,” he said.

Malam Abba Kyari

At a time, the call on President Buhari to sack Malam Abba Kyari, who was appointed the Chief of Staff to the president on August 27, 2015 was in the front burner of public discussions. The issue was however dwarfed by other pressing matters shortly after President Buhari moved to London for medical treatment.

Kyari is seen as one of the most trusted allies of the president and one of the main figures in the presidency. Beside other issues, he came to limelight  after it was alleged that he collected N500 million from telecoms giant MTN in order to help reduce their fine from N1.04 trillion to N330 billion for failing to disconnect unregistered subscribers.

While MTN subsequently denied the report, the controversy surrounding the imposed fine and the alleged compromise involving Kyari remains, spectre-like.

It has been reported also that President Buhari had ordered the Inspector General of Police to probe the allegation, but the report has not been made public.

Lawal Musa Daura

The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Malam Lawal Musa Daura, was appointed in July 2015 after the dismissal of the former DG of the outfit, Ita Ekpeyong. While Daura, a kinsman of President Buhari is seen among ‘untouchables’, his alleged role in the rejection of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the Senate, reportedly did not go down well with President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, headed by Professor of Law and human rights activist, Itse Sagay.

There were reports that Daura was accused by the EFCC of “obstructing” some of its core activities, including asking the anti-graft agency to back down on some of its investigations involving some DSS operatives, influential politicians especially in the ruling APC and top officials of the presidency.

Daura is also reportedly under scrutiny  for failing to be “diligent” on the controversial raid on some judges.

“Invariably, there is a kind of powerplay between the Presidency and the Senate over the roles being played by Daura,” a Senate source said. “Left for the Senate, Daura is a wonderful man who should retain his post because he was able to provide them with ample documents to immune themselves from the EFCC,” he said.

Ibrahim Magu 

While the Senate had rejected Magu twice as substantive chairman of the EFCC, the utterances of those close to Buhari, such as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo points to the fact that the presidency is still enamoured with the anti-corruption czar. “Most Nigerians and the international community are pleased with Magu and from all indications, they would not be happy if Buhari changed, him” said Sanusi Nguru, a schoolteacher.

Sanusi also said the mounting pressure against Magu at the Senate was not in tune with the expectations of Nigerians.

Hameed Ali

Another fellow that Buhari would have to use many variables to decide his fate is the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Hameed Ali, a retired colonel. While no-one has cast doubts on Ali’s personal integrity, some are wary of his frugal lifestyle, which matches that of President Buhari.

However, with  many presidential issues before the Senate, such as the confirmation of RECs, two ministers from Gombe and Kogi, the 2017 budget among others, Buhari would have to deploy conscience, what the law says, and political expediency  to save the job of the Customs boss.

Ministers

The general impression across Nigeria is that President Buhari should re-jig his cabinet and in the process sack some of his ministers. The departure of Babachir Lawal and Ayo Oke has rekindled that expectation. Abdulmajid Dan Bilki Kwamanda, a member of the APC, had for long  enjoined  Buhari to go against  some of his aides with questionable tendencies. (Daily Trust)