Three weeks after President Bola Tinubu announced the appointment of Dr Abdulrazak Namdas as Director‑General of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), controversy has erupted over the delay in issuing his formal appointment letter. Critics allege that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) has yet to implement the presidential directive.
Presidency’s Announcement
On June 26, the Presidency released a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirming that Namdas, a former spokesman of the House of Representatives, had been appointed to replace Dr Dakorinama Alabo George. The statement noted that George had resigned to pursue an elective position in Rivers State and that the appointment took immediate effect.
Delay and Continued Duties
Despite the public announcement, Namdas has not assumed office because he has not received the formal appointment letter required for his resumption. Meanwhile, Dr George has continued to preside over the agency’s affairs and represent it at official functions.
One notable engagement saw George meet with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, in Abuja to discuss the release of funds for BCDA projects. Following the meeting, a statement highlighted ongoing infrastructure initiatives in border communities, a proposed $2 billion Chinese investment in a livestock processing hub in Jigawa State, and plans to establish a Border Communities Intelligence Corps.
Allegations and Responses
APC chieftain Hamman Yero blamed the delay on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, questioning why the appointment letter had not been released despite the presidential directive. He warned that the holdup raises serious constitutional and administrative concerns.
Sources within the agency claim that George returned to BCDA after losing the APC governorship primary in Rivers State and resumed duties without a formal handover. An anonymous senior official alleged that George continues to enjoy political support, possibly linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, under whom George previously served as Commissioner for Works in Rivers State. An ally of Wike dismissed the claim as mere insinuation.
Responding to the controversy, Bayo Onanuga reiterated that President Tinubu has not reversed Namdas’ appointment and that the issuance of the formal letter remains the responsibility of the OSGF. When approached, the Head of Information and Public Relations at the OSGF, Christopher Ugwuegbulam, said the office would only respond after receiving a formal inquiry, while the SGF’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, stated he had no information on the matter.
Implications
The stalemate has left the lawful authority at the Border Communities Development Agency uncertain, prompting questions about administrative compliance and the effectiveness of presidential directives within Nigeria’s federal bureaucracy.
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