The last may not have been heard about issues that led to the sack of the former DSS boss, Lawal Daura as recent reforms initiated by the Acting DSS Boss Matthew Seiyefa is said to have pitched him against the wishes of the Aso Rock cabal led by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, who report said has asked Seiyefa to revert some of the decisions especially those bothering on redeployment of officers.
Already, multiple sources said, Mr Kyari has ordered Mr Seiyefa, who was named to the position only last month following the sack of Lawal Daura, to reverse some key decisions he took and desist from implementing new measures unless otherwise directed from the presidency to do so.
This it was learnt that Mr Seiyefa called Mr Kyari’s bluff saying he would rather report to and take directives from the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, under whose office the DSS is structurally placed.
The rift has become so pronounced that top directors at the DSS have pledged loyalty to their boss threatening to fight the battle openly with their principal or quit the service entirely, as some of them are frowning with the political interference from the Villa which they believe have eroded the agency’s professionalism and should no longer be tolerated.
Mr Kyari’s position, contained in a letter he wrote to Mr Seiyefa on August 30, prescribed the types of administrative decisions the new spy chief should not make without permission from him.
Mr Kyari said Mr Seiyefa should immediately recall some directors who were recently asked to proceed on terminal leave. State directors in Borno, Cross River, Kaduna and Oyo were cleared for terminal leave by Mr Seiyefa, ahead of their retirement from service.
Other officials who were redeployed are also asked to return to their previous posts, a decision Mr Seiyefa sees as an attempt to undermine his authority, according to people familiar with the matter.
Mr. Seiyefa was appointed on August 7 by then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, moments after the dismissal of Mr. Daura.
Mr. Daura was accused of ordering the August 7 siege which DSS operatives laid to the National Assembly, drawing nationwide condemnation amongst those who saw it as an affront to democracy.
Mr. Seiyefa assumed office promising to clean up the mess at the agency, which many expect would involve doing away with the controversial tactics of Mr. Daura.
