Chief Precious Elekima, Protem National Chairman, New African Democratic Congress (N-ADC), has described the sacking of the Director-General of Department of State Services, Mr Lawal Daura, as “a hasty decision’’.
N-ADC is a group which on Tuesday, pulled out of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Elekima told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that he expected the Federal Government to have investigated issues surrounding Daura’s actions in connection with the security siege at National Assembly on Tuesday, before sacking him.
The operatives of the DSS had as early as 7am blocked the entrance of the National Assembly preventing lawmakers, workers, contractors, and visitors from gaining entry into the complex.
Reacting to the development, the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said it was a breach of the Constitution and violation of the Rule of Law, adding that it was unacceptable.
Consequently, the government announced the immediate sacking of Daura and his replacement by Mr. Matthew Seiyefa, the most senior director in the Service, as acting Director-General.
But, Elekima said that such decision was not the best for the security and intelligence gathering of the country.
“Basically, security abstract is not something you can touch.
“The decision of the security chieftain did not in any way create any problem. There is over dramatisation of the entire thing.
“The danger we stand of the use of public opinion to take decisions, playing to the gallery, is that it may discourage other security chiefs from taking proactive action.
“Yes, the sack decision sounds sweet but it is not the best.
“As far as I am concerned, the best that would have happened is that they should have taken time to investigate what happened.”
Elekima said that the incident at the national assembly did not constitute a threat to the country’s democracy.
On 2019 general elections, he said that Nigerians must elect a government that would be accountable to the people.
The N-ADC chairman said that the country was tired of political calculations that led to the election of leaders in 2011 and 2015, adding that “it doesn’t add up’’.
He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the amended Electoral Act, saying it was critical for the 2019 elections.
(NAN)
