Drama as Wike’s ally defies Tinubu’s replacement order, continues operating office

A leadership crisis has emerged at the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) following claims that former Executive Secretary, Dr. Dakorinama Alabo George, has remained in office despite the Presidency announcing his replacement with former House of Representatives spokesman, Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas.

The controversy follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive requiring political appointees seeking elective offices in the 2027 general elections to resign their appointments before the March 31, 2026 deadline.

According to the Presidency, George resigned to contest the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Rivers State and was subsequently replaced by Namdas in an appointment announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on June 26.

However, reports indicate that George allegedly continued to occupy the office after withdrawing from the APC governorship race before the party’s primary election.

Sources claimed he retained control of the agency despite the announcement of his replacement, although George has denied resigning from office.

In a now-deleted WhatsApp message, George insisted he never resigned, stating that he withdrew from the governorship contest before the primaries and described reports of his replacement as an error that was later corrected.

However, the Presidency has dismissed claims that George was reappointed.

Responding to enquiries, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga maintained that Abdulrazak Namdas remains the head of the agency.

“Not true. Namdas stays,” Onanuga said.

Despite the Presidency’s position, George’s profile reportedly remains on the BCDA’s official website as the serving Executive Secretary, while he has continued to attend official engagements, including a recent meeting with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, where he sought timely release of funds for projects in border communities.

The development comes amid increased scrutiny over appointments and adherence to presidential directives requiring political appointees seeking elective office to vacate their positions.

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