By Aliyu DANLADI
Nigerians have continued to react to the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi, as the new Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Some respondents hailed the appointment while others criticised the decision citing ethnocentric reasons. One of the respondents, Mr Femi Olufemi said he believed the president did not appoint Bichi because of his tribe or ethnicity, but due to his competence to deliver.
He said the new DSS is a core Secret Service operative and one skilled in intelligence gathering, conflict management in both general investigation and counter-intelligence.
“Yusuf Bichi may be a northerner, but we must admit that our security needs men with such competence. Nigerians need to wake up to the truth that this administration is working and would continue the good fight.’’
Olufemi expressed optimism that Buhari would return to serve a second term after the 2019 general elections. He said non-partisan Nigerians were unbiased in their judgment and would support the present administration going to the polls in 2019 to vote for continuity.
On the contrary, Mr Linus Onyeziligbo, a public servant, many Nigerians were compelled to question the president’s motive in appointing another northerner to a sensitive security position.
“Even if I was not a Nigerian, I would be concerned for the people of Nigeria. Am sure many Nigerians are amplifying accusations of the president’s alleged ethno-religious agenda.”
Onyeziligbo said he was stunned on Thursday night when he heard that the president had approved Bichi as the new DSS director-general.
In his comments, Mr Obisike Kinglsey, a civil servant, said that he was not surprised at the announcement. He, however, expressed disappointment that the next most senior officer by rank in the service was not appointed.
“Matthew Seiyeifa, who is the next in rank, has been sidelined and it is an injustice that should not be allowed,” he said.
Bichi, whose appointment takes effect from Friday, replaced Seiyeifa who was appointed in acting capacity by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo following the dismissal of former DSS boss Lawal Daura.
Daura was dismissed on Aug. 7, following the unlawful invasion of the National Assembly by men of the security agency under his watch.
