Former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura, has rejected claims that the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari was the worst in Nigeria’s history.
Daura said those who hold such a view should examine the country’s political history between 1995 and 2023 before reaching a conclusion.
He made the remarks during an interview with Channels Television on Monday.
The former DSS Director-General said Buhari was surrounded by people who enjoyed his trust, but some of them eventually betrayed the confidence the former president placed in them.
He said the administration began to experience some setbacks after he left office as DSS boss in 2018.
“Everything started to give way after 2018 since I left office,” he said.
He also dismissed allegations that he was part of a powerful cabal around Buhari, saying his position as intelligence chief required him to maintain close access to the president.
“There were sycophants around Buhari, but some of those individuals betrayed the former president’s trust.” Daura acknowledged.
He said the experience highlighted the need for competence and suitability to be considered alongside personal trust when appointing people to sensitive government positions.
According to him, appointing people based solely on the confidence they enjoy with a president can have serious consequences for an administration.
Daura rejects claims Buhari ran Nigeria’s worst govt, recalls betrayals under late leader