President-elect, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu
As May 29 date for the inauguration and swearing in ceremony of
Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu as the 16th President of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria draws nearer, the issue of who becomes his Chief
Security Officer (CSO) is already generating interesting discourse
among Nigerians; taking into cognizance the power and influence,
security the office of the Chief Security Officer wields within the
security network of the Presidency; particularly as it relates to the
protection and safety of the President.
Since the official pronouncement of Lt. Col Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf,
an officer of the Intelligence Unit of the Nigerian Army, as the
Aide-de Camp (ADC) to President-elect, and subsequent appointment of ACP Usman Shugaba as his Chief Personal Security Officer, there has been so much
questions and anxiety at different levels, especially within the
nation’s security community over who the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola
Ahmed Tinubu appoints as his Chief Security Officer.
President’s Chief Security Officer since the
beginning of this political dispensation are mostly appointed from the
Department of State Service (DSS), and names of top DSS Directors are
already being bandied as likely choice of the President-elect for the
top security job in the presidency.
But much as it is the prerogative of the President-elect to choose
his CSO, some other crucial administrative determinant factors that
bother on professionalism, ability, competence and capacity would
be of top consideration by the DSS in collaboration with the office of
the President before such appointment is finally rectified.
As far as the security of Mr. President is concerned, the role of
Chief Security Officer is of cardinal importance in the Presidential
Villa. The CSO wields enormous power and influence within and outside
the precinct of the Presidential Villa. His words are laws; and you
can only ignore or discountenance CSO’s orders at your own peril!
For all you care to know, some of the CSO’s vital security decisions
as circumstances may unfold take precedence over the personal
feelings of Mr. President despite his position as Commander-in-Chief.
Majorly, CSO’s responsibilities are to ensure the safety and security by developing a robust safety protocol and crisis management
Such is the power of CSO. The buck stops at his desk.
However, it should be emphasized that the President reserves the power
to effect his withdrawal or change of duty post, in case of unethical conduct as it may be established against him; but under normal circumstances, he is expected to enjoy the
total support and confidence of Mr. President.
His responsibilities
are well spelt out to avert duplication of duties with any other security organ
within the presidency or breaches and unethical conduct.
The CSO owes no one explanation except Mr. President or may be the National Security Adviser regarding his action or inaction. And this is incontestable!
It could be recalled that late President Musa Yar’adua as a matter of
choice was more comfortable working with Yusuf Tilde as his CSO, Tilde
had earlier served as Katsina State Director of DSS when Yar’dua was in
the saddle as Katsina State Governor. Apparently, the duo of Yar’adua
and Tilde had established a warm rapport so much that the former felt
it must be sustained at a higher level, all things being equal.
Similarly, former President Jonathan, though unsubstantiated, was said
to have had a cordial relationship for years with Godwin Ibuah, a
Director in the DSS, before he (Jonathan) eventually picked him as his
CSO, Obuah held on to his position all through Jonathan presidency.
Obuah died shortly after Jonathan left office.
For reasons best known to him, President Muhammadu Buhari, had two
months into his administration in July 2015 had ordered the
replacement of his eastwhile CSO Abdullahi Maini and requested the DSS
to redeploy him out of the Presidential villa.
He later appointed Bashir Abubakar, who later proceeded on an
immediate “strategic course” at a university in Buenos Aires,
Argentina, and was replaced by Idris Kassim Ahmed.
As at last count, some of the names being speculated for the top-notch
security job includes the Lagos DSS Director, Sheik Mohammed
Waziri, who many sources within and outside the security community
have consistently described as a thorough bred security specialist.
Alhaji Ado Muazu, the Federal Capital Territory Helmsman of DSS is
another name people are insinuating might be reckoned with by Asiwaju
Tinubu as his Chief Security officer. Uncountable sources would
readily describe Alhaji Muazu as a seasoned security
expert with an enviable track record. Muazu is the pioneer Information
Director of the DSS, and records confirmed his ethical compliance with
total devotion to duties.
Also, the DSS Director in Ogun State, Femi Aaron, another consummate
security chief has also been listed as top favourite for the job.
Habu Maina Daluwa, the State Director of the DSS in Enugu, may also be
fortunate to secure the job of Tinubu’s Chief Security Officer on
account of his professional acumen.
Abdul Enachie, one of the brilliant security experts, who currently is
the Director of DSS in Kaduna State may also be considered
fit for the job. People close to Enachie affirm that his
record in the Service is highly impressive.
Much as the above stated names keep recurring as Tinubu’s CSO, several
dependable sources disclosed that Tinubu’s choice of CSO may come as a
surprise and contrary to pundits’ prediction.
Recall the office of the CSO then headed by Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (rtd)
came into limelight and was thoroughly subjected to public discourse
for negative reasons under the leadership of the late military
dictator, General Sani Abacha.
A catalogue of atrocious and unethical conduct charges including
assassination of opponents of Abacha’s draconian government
were slammed against Al-Mustapha.
Living witnesses to the dark days of Abacha regime would jokingly
narrate the story of how it was better and safer for anyone during the
reign of Abacha to be closer and friendly with Al-Mustapha than to
court friendship of Abacha who was the Commander-in-chief, because
Mustapha was the de facto decision maker in the presidential villa, at
least that was the belief of the generality of Nigerians!
During the period under reference, Al-Mustapha was accused of taking the
advantage of his office as CSO to plot the gruesome murder of Alhaja
Kudirat Abiola, the wife of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993
Presidential election, Chief Moshood Abiola. Similarly, he was also
alleged to have been an accessory to the brutal murder of Pa, Alfred Rewane, a wealthy
politician and sympathizer of NADECO.
On account of all these allegations, Major Mustapha was detained and
subjected to prosecution that spanned for more than a decade, but was
eventually discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal in Lagos
from the murder of Kudirat Abiola.
On the 30th January, 2012, a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere had
convicted Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer
to the late Head of State General Sani Abacha and Lateef Shofolahan
over the murder of Kudirat Abiola. The duo of Mustapha and Shofolahan
were sentenced to death by hanging.
Alhaja Kudirat Abiola’s murder case adjudged to be the longest
criminal trial ever experienced in the nation’s history, lasted more
than 12 years with five successive judges during which time the
accused persons were held in detention.
The prosecution led by Lawal Pedro had accused Al-Mustapha of ordering
Sergeant Barnabas Jabila (Sgt. Rogers), who was then a member of both
the Strike Force and Body Guards – military units within the Aso Rock
Presidential Villa in Abuja, to kill Mrs Abiola.
The wife of the eminent businessman and politician was shot dead on
June 4, 1996 along the Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway, Lagos toll gate,
opposite Cargo Vision, Ikeja in Lagos.
The prosecution also accused Mr Shofolahan, who was said to be
Kudirat’s protocol officer, to have revealed the deceased’s itinerary
to her assailants. According to the prosecution, Mohammed Abdulof was
alleged to have driven the car Jabila and Sholohan used to trail and
killed Mrs Abiola.