Buhari Bows to Pressure, Sacks Babachir Lawal, Ayo Oke

By Dipo Olowookere

After huge pressure from Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday terminated the appointments of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SSG), Mr Babachir Lawal; and the Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr Ayo Oke.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, disclosed that the sack followed recommendation of a report submitted by the Vice President, Mr Yemi Osinbajo, some months ago.

Mr Adesina said the President took this decision after he “studied the report of the panel headed by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) which investigated allegations against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir David Lawal, and the Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayo Oke.”

“President Buhari also approved the recommendation to terminate the appointment of Ambassador Oke, and has further approved the setting up of a three-member panel to, among other things, look into the operational, technical and administrative structure of the agency and make appropriate recommendations,” the statement said further.

Meanwhile, the President has appointed Mr Boss Mustapha as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“The appointment takes immediate effect,” the statement issued in Abuja by Mr Adesina today disclosed.