Sack Of DG DSS, Is It Uhuru?

The country was thrown into mixed reactions at exactly 1:52pm when the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, attached to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo tweeted: AgP Yemi Osinbajo has directed the termination of the appointment of the DG of the DSS, Mr. Lawal Musa Daura.”

That single tweet sent not just Twitter into overdrive but all of social media and conventional media platforms.

While some hailed the move, others expressed fears about the sack, hinting that President Muhammadu Buhari who is on a 10-day vacation in the United Kingdom could resume and reverse the sack.

An Abuja based lawyer, Charles Edo, said, “I still have my reservation as the purported sack could be reserved in few days times. It is meant to douse the swelling spring against this government.

“Smokescreen damage control mechanism. APC just lost 4 million votes today by the siege to the national assembly.”

Omoniyi Ibietan was more pointed in his Facebook post when he quipped: “What happened eventually to the Head of NHIS that he sacked while his principal was on medical leave?”

However, Elizabeth Archibong, a journalist now based in Australia described it as “best news ever.” Similarly, Seyifunmi Adesanya tweeting @Philipson47, was of the opinion that “the termination is not only about today’s blockade but several errors or deliberate actions that makes the executive looks stupid. He has been tolerated for far too long. It’s well deserved.”

Despite the optimism in some quarters, it will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari was on vacation about this time in 2017 when the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Prof. Usman Yusuf, was suspended by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, on the approval of Vice President Osinabjo.

Yusuf, who was probed by the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, and was accused of perpetrating fraud to the tune of N919m.

A committee set up by the minister had submitted a probe report to the president last September accusing Yusuf of abuse of office.

In the report which was compiled by senior officials of the health ministry, the Department of State Services and the ICPC, the panel described Yusuf as a public servant who “portrayed a holier than thou attitude but at the background, milked the agency dry” by conniving with others to perpetrate fraud to the tune of over N919m.

According to the panel, the N919m was dubiously given as payment to consultants for staff training.

The committee said as the head of the agency, Yusuf was personally responsible for all administrative, procurement and financial lapses.

But in a surprising twist, Buhari on return from his extended vacation promptly recalled Yusuf.

In a letter with reference number, ‘SH/COS/10/6/A/29’, signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, the President informed the minister of Yusuf’s recall, adding that he (Yusuf) had been “admonished to work harmoniously with the minister,” without reference to the allegations of corruption.

Following from precedent, does the possibility exists that Daura could return to his post when the president returns by Friday, August 10?