Despite being redeployed by the Department of State Services (DSS) since October 20, Adegboyega Fasasi, Chief Security Officer (CSO) to President Bola Tinubu, has reportedly refused to vacate his position at the Aso Rock Villa. Sources within the Presidency informed SaharaReporters of this development.
It was learned that Fasasi has garnered the support of several state governors and influential individuals, reportedly receiving funds from them to maintain his role and control access to President Tinubu. Some Villa insiders allege that Fasasi has a history of accepting bribes to determine who can see the President and who cannot.
“There’s immense pressure from governors and other key figures who’ve paid him for continued access to Tinubu, arguing he should remain in the Villa,” a source disclosed. “They fear that if he leaves, they would need to bribe his replacement to keep their access,” the source added.
Additionally, SaharaReporters confirmed that powerful figures are negotiating for Fasasi’s stay until December.
Previously, on October 20, SaharaReporters reported that DSS Director General Tosin Ajayi removed Fasasi as Tinubu’s CSO, appointing Rasheed Atanda Lawal, a DSS deputy director currently in a fellowship at the National Institute for Security Studies, as his replacement. Reports indicate that Ajayi suggested Fasasi’s redeployment for a “strategic course,” a common reason cited for reshuffling security officials close to the President.
Lawal was set for promotion to Director in July 2023, but his advancement was reportedly delayed due to a lack of support from the previous DSS administration. This echoes a similar move in March 2019, when former President Muhammadu Buhari’s CSO, Bashir Abubakar, was redeployed to a “strategic course” in Argentina, making way for Idris Ahmed as his successor.
In other DSS shifts, spokesperson Dr. Peter Afunanya was recently redeployed, and no replacement has been announced. At a recent press briefing, Afunanya mentioned that the DSS intends to adopt a less visible approach in media interactions, marking a shift toward the agency’s past practice of limited public engagement.
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