Former Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Lawal Daura, has rejected claims that the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari was the worst in Nigeria’s history.
Daura said Nigerians who hold such views should first examine the country’s political history between 1995 and 2023 before arriving at such a conclusion.
The former DSS chief made the remarks during an interview with Channels Television on Monday.
He said Buhari was surrounded by individuals who enjoyed his trust, but some of them eventually betrayed the confidence reposed in them.
According to Daura, the administration began to experience setbacks after his exit as DSS Director General in 2018.
He said, “Everything started to give way after 2018 since I left office.”
Daura also dismissed allegations that he was part of a powerful cabal around Buhari, explaining that his position as the nation’s intelligence chief required him to maintain close access to the president.
He acknowledged that some sycophants surrounded the former president, but said some of those individuals ultimately betrayed Buhari’s trust.
The former DSS Director General said the experience demonstrated the importance of considering competence and suitability, alongside personal trust, when appointing individuals to sensitive government positions.
He warned that appointing people solely on the basis of the confidence they enjoy with a president could have serious consequences for an administration.