Key Takeaways
- Dr Dakorinama Alabo George, the former Executive Secretary of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), has refused to vacate office despite his replacement by the Presidency.
- Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas has been appointed as the new Director General of the BCDA, replacing George who allegedly resigned to contest in the governorship primaries in Rivers State.
- George's refusal to leave office has sparked a leadership crisis at the agency, with some government officials backing him to remain in office.
The Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) is currently embroiled in a leadership crisis, with Dr Dakorinama Alabo George, the former Executive Secretary, refusing to vacate office despite his replacement by the Presidency with Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas. This development comes on the heels of the ongoing controversy surrounding the ‘phantom’ Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed all political appointees under his administration who intend to contest elective offices in the forthcoming 2027 general elections to resign their appointments on or before March 31, 2026. However, George allegedly resigned to contest in the governorship primaries in Rivers alongside Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Kingsley Chinda, and Tonye Cole, but has failed to hand over to his replacement.
Refusal to Vacate Office
According to sources, George has refused to vacate the office, citing that he had never resigned and had withdrawn from the APC governorship primaries before the election. He has been holding official meetings, including a recent meeting with the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, to appeal for timely budget releases to the agency.
Despite the Presidency's announcement of his replacement, George's profile on the agency's website still reads as the serving Executive Secretary. His backers, including some government officials, are working to ensure he remains in office without the President's knowledge. Some of his supporters have even posted reports on Facebook claiming that President Tinubu had reappointed him to the role.
Presidency's Stance
The Presidency has maintained that Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas is the new Director General of the BCDA, replacing George. The presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, has faulted George's claim that he had been reappointed, stating that Namdas stays as the head of the agency.
Why This Matters
This leadership crisis at the Border Communities Development Agency has significant implications for the effective functioning of the agency and the delivery of essential infrastructure to border communities. The situation underscores the need for clarity and transparency in the appointment and replacement of government officials to avoid conflicts and ensure smooth governance.