‘Senate won’t dabble in appointment of new DG, NIA’

Those expecting the Senate to dabble in the appointment of a Director General for the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar may be disappointed after all.

Many had expressed surprise at Abubakar’s appointment last week.

Some concerned citizens and groups had written to the Security and Intelligence committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, demanding a scrutiny of the appointee.

A member of the Senate Committee on Security and Intelligence confirmed that the committee received submissions from interested groups and the public on the matter.

The senator, who did not want his name in print, confided in our correspondent yesterday that some sensitive issues were raised in some of the submissions.

According to him, owing to the sensitive and security nature of the observations raised, the committee may advise the Senate on how to go about discussing some grey areas with the executive arm.

The senator said: “Some of the submissions indicated that due diligence was not conducted on the appointee before the appointment was announced, particularly as relate to antecedents and marriage relationship of the new DG.

“As a matter of fact, career progression and promotion issues from the parent body, the Foreign Affairs Ministry where the appointee last served, did not receive proper attention from the appointing authority.

“However, the Senate would not want to be seen as dabbling in security and intelligence related appointments, although we feel strongly that the appointment failed to meet certain thresholds”.

The lawmaker acknowledged that “genuine concerns” were raised in some of the submissions, stressing that if not addressed, such issues could constitute hindrances to smooth operations of the NIA.

“For instance, the officer who was acting in that position still has up till September before his retirement date. We feel that the reasonable thing to do is to allow him hold forth till his retirement date before replacing him.

“A few of the submissions we received spoke highly about the honesty and integrity of the immediate Acting DG, particularly his long standing record of dedication to duties over the years.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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