By Musa Yakubu
When Yusuf Magaji Bichi, the 62-year- old spy chief from Kano state, was announced as the new Director General of Nigeria’s Department of State Security, DSS, the groundswell of opposition wasn’t unexpected. Nigeria, a country known for large divisions along, ethnic and religious lines, has often sacrificed competence on the altar of regional and religious bias.
But, seemingly against the odds, Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari announced Bichi as his preferred choice-sparking off protest from the Southern and Middle-belt leaders and stakeholders.
A Wikipedia description of the agency’s responsibilities shows that “…It is primarily responsible for intelligence gathering within the country and for the protection of senior government officials, particularly the President and state governors…” Suffices to say that, successive presidents have only appointed those they know would be loyal to their cause. Past trends and findings have also shown that since 1990, only one spy chief of northern extraction has occupied this office, until the appointment of the former DG, Lawal Daura. For emphasis, here is the list of past Director Generals of the organization: 1990-1992: Chief Albert Horsfall; 1992-1998: Chief Peter Nwaoduah; 1998-2007: Chief Kayode Are; 2007-2010: Afakriya Gadzama; 2010-2015: Ita Ekpeyong; 2015-2018: Lawal Daura.
Make no mistake, Nigeria’s unique characteristics make it imperative to observe all the elements of balance – but, there are issues that must be absolved from politics and regional sentiments and security is one.
On security-more so, the security of the President, competence, and confidence must trump all other considerations.
Bichi comes to the job with an equal dose of competence and enjoys the president’s confidence. The new Spy chief who retired from service in 2017 as the Director of Administration & Finance, had served in various capacity, spanning a period of 35 years in active service – making him a repository of knowledge on local intelligence matters.
The priority should be, what lies ahead of Bichi in this new task. The task before the new chief is clear-cut – fix the depreciating reputation of the agency, among other things. Mr. Bichi is not unaware of the task ahead and has upon the assumption of office, restated in unambiguous terms his desire to take the service to a new height.
Upon assumption, he set forth his agenda while addressing the management, at the National Headquarters of the Service. The Director-General called for members’ support, while also calling for stronger ties among the staff. More encouraging was his pledge to work with every member of staff towards building a formidable team. In his words, “my vision is to build a well disciplined, professional and highly motivated DSS with particular reference to staff welfare.”
He also implored the Staff to refocus their intelligence collection efforts in this direction.
His words were reassuring as they were soothing, especially as the country goes into the 2019 election – it cannot contain the consequence of a divided agency.
He also restated his commitment towards supporting the government’s agenda on rebuilding the economy, stamping out insecurity and fighting corruption.
I am quick to acknowledge that the Southern and Middle-belt elders are within their rights to protest, as equal stakeholders in the Nigerian project, such protest must be situated within the bounds of acceptable standards across the globe. No known leader globally has ever appointed Spy Chiefs, whose loyalty are in doubt – Nigeria should not be different.
Ever wondered why United States President, Donald Trump defended his pick for the CIA top Job, Gina Haspel? He knew he could trust her to get the job done.
Mr. Bichi rose through the ranks and spent 35 years in service unblemished, and the President trusts him to do the job, let’s support him to get the job done.
Yakubu wrote in from Kano.
