The Department of State Services (DSS) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) have reportedly sent letters to the Nigerian Senate, advising against the confirmation of three ministerial nominees appointed by President Bola Tinubu. The nominees in question are Nasir El-Rufai, Stella Okotete, and Senator Abubakar Danladi. The Senate had already confirmed 45 out of the 48 nominees submitted by President Tinubu.
According to reliable sources, the DSS Director-General and the NSA penned letters to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, expressing concerns and recommending a hold on the confirmation of the three nominees. The letters reportedly cited national security reasons for the recommendation.
The NSA and DSS letters reportedly led to the exclusion of El-Rufai, Danladi, and Okotete from the list of confirmed nominees. The Senate President communicated this decision during a closed-door session, indicating that the letters raised serious security concerns about the nominees.
Protests and legal actions against some of the nominees may have influenced the decision. In the case of El-Rufai, protesters in Abuja raised concerns about his nomination due to his alleged religious bias and involvement in controversies. Lawyers also petitioned the Senate to disqualify Okotete over allegations of corruption. Senator Abubakar Danladi faced past legal challenges regarding forgery and certificate falsification, which reportedly led to his disqualification from contesting elections for 10 years.
These developments underscore the influence of security agencies in the confirmation process and the need for thorough scrutiny of nominees to ensure their suitability for ministerial positions. The Senate’s cautious approach highlights the importance of national security and public trust in government appointments.
