Buhari Was Surrounded by Sycophants Who Betrayed His Trust- Daura APM Vice Presidential Candidate
By Aliyu Oyewole
Former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, has opened up on the controversies surrounding the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, alleging that sycophants around the late president betrayed the trust he placed in them.
Daura, who served as the DSS director-general under Buhari, made the revelation while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday.
The former intelligence chief, who is now the vice-presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), pushed back against claims that Buhari’s administration was the worst in Nigeria’s history.
He challenged critics of the former president to examine Nigeria’s political history between 1995 and 2023 before reaching such conclusions.
“Yes, they can say it, but I also want them, the real students of history, to go back from 1995 to 2023, when he exited, and find out which were the worst years,” Daura said.
‘Buhari Was Surrounded By Sycophants’
Daura, however, acknowledged that individuals described as sycophants gained access to the former president and were trusted with important responsibilities.
According to him, the major problem was that some of those around Buhari eventually betrayed the confidence and trust the former president had placed in them.
He suggested that loyalty and personal trust should not be sufficient grounds for appointing people to sensitive government positions, stressing the importance of competence and suitability.
The former DSS chief also dismissed speculation that he was part of a powerful “cabal” that controlled Buhari’s government.
“There is no cabal,” Daura said.
He explained that the nature of his role as DSS director-general required him to maintain close contact with Buhari, particularly because of the security and intelligence responsibilities attached to his office.
Daura Defends Buhari’s Legacy
Daura further argued that Buhari’s administration should be assessed against the broader political history of Nigeria rather than through isolated criticisms.
He noted that his relationship with Buhari gave him direct insight into the former president’s approach to governance and decision-making.
The former DSS boss also suggested that some of the challenges associated with Buhari’s government became more pronounced after his removal as director-general of the DSS in 2018.
His comments have reignited debate over Buhari’s eight-year presidency, particularly the role played by presidential aides, political allies and senior officials who operated around the former president.
Buhari, who governed Nigeria from 2015 to 2023, remains a major figure in the country’s political history, with his administration attracting both praise and criticism over its handling of security, the economy, anti-corruption efforts and governance.
Daura’s latest remarks are coming as Nigeria gradually enters another politically charged cycle ahead of the 2027 general elections, where he is set to contest as the APM vice-presidential candidate.
