Former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, has rejected claims that the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari was the worst in Nigeria’s history.
Daura urged those who hold that view to consider the country’s political history between 1995 and 2023 before reaching such a conclusion.
He made the remarks during an interview with Channels Television on Monday.
The former intelligence chief said Buhari was surrounded by individuals who enjoyed the former president’s trust, but some of them eventually betrayed the confidence placed in them.
According to Daura, the administration began experiencing setbacks after he left office as DSS Director-General in 2018.
“Everything started to give way after 2018 since I left office,” he said.
Daura also dismissed allegations that he was part of a powerful cabal around Buhari, explaining that his position as intelligence chief required him to maintain close access to the president.
He acknowledged that there were sycophants around the former president, but said some of them ultimately betrayed Buhari’s trust.
The former DSS boss said the experience demonstrated the importance of considering competence and suitability alongside personal trust when appointing individuals to sensitive government positions.
He warned that appointing people solely on the basis of the confidence they enjoy with a president could have serious consequences for an administration.
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