The presidency has asked the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana, to remain in office despite the expiration of his tenure, PRNigeria reports.
Recall that the federal government in 2019 through the Ministry of Interior elongated his tenure by six months, which expired on Monday, January 18, 2021.
NSCDC spokesman, Emmanuel Okeh, in a statement on July 19, announced that the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbeshola communicated the approval.
Now, the presidency has asked Gana to await an official memo on the next line of action.
Gana was said to have handed over on Monday to a Deputy Commandant General, Hilary Kelechi Madu.
But the presidency, it was gathered, insists it did not give a handover directive and as such, the status quo be maintained.
The claim is that Gana still has two years in service.
If so, stakeholders wonder why was he granted a six-month extension that elapsed on Monday.
They argue that the government could have in 2019 approved his incumbency until “actual” retirement date
Madu now has to wait longer as efforts are being made to further extend his boss’s stay in office.
Powerful forces are reportedly lobbying the presidency and top officials for this to happen.
Recall that some retired serving officers and concerned citizens had warned Buhari against an extension of tenure for heads of Nigeria’s paramilitary agencies.
According to them, retaining the officials after their tenure expiration would psychologically affect personnel development and career progression.
The warning directed at President Buhari and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, noted that the likes of Controller-General, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Jaafaru Ahmed; Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede; Commandant-General, NSCDC, Abdullahi Gana should not be approved for another term in office.
This newspaper understands that the warning came after alleged moves by Aregbesola to get Buhari’s approval for the continued stay of the officials.
The stakeholders wondered if there are no capable hands to take over, continue with policies, as well as inject new ideas.
