BCDA Leadership Crisis Deepens As Tinubu Appointee Awaits Appointment Letter

• Three weeks after President Tinubu announced Abdulrazak Namdas’ appointment, he is yet to assume office over the non-release of his appointment letter.

• Presidency insists the appointment remains valid, while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation’s office faces questions over the delay.

• ADC, legal experts and analysts warn that the controversy raises concerns about coordination and implementation of presidential directives.

A leadership crisis has erupted at the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) following the delay in the assumption of office by President Bola Tinubu’s appointee, Dr Abdulrazak Namdas, more than three weeks after his appointment was announced.

The development has fuelled concerns over the implementation of presidential directives, with the immediate past Director-General, Dr Dakorinama George, reportedly continuing to perform official duties despite the Presidency’s announcement that Namdas had replaced him with immediate effect.

ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!

READ ALSO: Carter Efe Mocks Babcock University’s Legal Action Over Certificate Row

President Tinubu had, on June 26, approved Namdas’ appointment as Director-General of the agency. The announcement, conveyed in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that Namdas replaced George, who resigned to contest an elective position in Rivers State.

However, findings indicate that Namdas has yet to assume office because the formal appointment letter conveying the President’s directive has not been issued.

In the meantime, George has continued representing the agency at official engagements.

One such appearance was during a meeting with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, where he sought the release of funds for BCDA projects and discussed proposed investments and border security initiatives.

The delay has drawn criticism from stakeholders, including APC chieftain Hamman Yero, who questioned why a presidential appointment announced publicly had not been implemented.

“If the President directs that Namdas should be appointed and the SGF keeps the appointment letter without releasing it, then serious constitutional and administrative questions arise,” Yero said.

He maintained that presidential approvals should ordinarily proceed seamlessly from the Presidency to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) for implementation.

Yero also dismissed claims that George’s appointment had been restored, insisting that the lingering uncertainty raises broader questions about adherence to presidential directives.

The situation has revived memories of the 2023 leadership dispute at the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), when confusion trailed the appointment of the agency’s Postmaster-General before the Presidency reaffirmed its position.

Sources within the BCDA alleged that George resumed activities at the agency after losing the APC governorship primary election in Rivers State, despite earlier resigning from office.

One official, who spoke anonymously, claimed George retained considerable influence within government circles.

The source further alleged that George’s continued presence was linked to his relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, under whom he previously served in Rivers State.

However, the allegation could not be independently verified, while one of George’s associates dismissed the claim as “mere insinuation,” insisting Wike lacked the authority to override presidential decisions.

Responding to the controversy, Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga affirmed that President Tinubu had not reversed the appointment.

“As far as I know, the President has not changed his mind. Namdas remains the Executive Secretary of the agency,” Onanuga said.

He explained that the responsibility for issuing the formal appointment letter rests with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“His appointment has been communicated to the Office of the SGF, so the SGF has to give him a letter,” he added.

The Office of the SGF declined to comment immediately, with its Head of Information and Public Relations, Christopher Ugwuegbulam, requesting a formal inquiry before responding.

Similarly, the SGF’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, said he had no information on the matter.

Efforts to obtain George’s reaction were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to him were not returned.

Legal and governance experts described the situation as a test of institutional coordination within government.

Constitutional lawyer Suraj Bamidele said while the President has the constitutional authority to appoint heads of federal agencies, delays in implementing such decisions create legal uncertainty.

“Where an appointment is announced by the Presidency but its implementation is delayed or disputed, it creates legal uncertainty that can affect the validity of administrative decisions taken during that period,” he said.

Public affairs analyst Sunday Awosika described the development as troubling, urging the President to ensure that government institutions comply with official directives.

Another analyst, Abdulrasaq Rasheed, attributed the controversy to poor coordination within government, stressing that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is responsible for coordinating appointments across ministries, departments and agencies.

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said the controversy reflected a broader struggle over the exercise of executive authority.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party urged President Tinubu to restore clarity in the administration’s decision-making process.

“If the reports concerning the Border Communities Development Agency are true, then this is no longer about one disputed appointment. It is about something far more disturbing: who is actually in charge of the Nigerian Presidency?” the party stated.