Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to withdraw from the 2027 presidential election, citing the unresolved leadership dispute at the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) as a sign of what he described as poor governance.
The ADC also accused President Tinubu of losing control of his administration, arguing that the reported crisis at the BCDA raises concerns about the government’s ability to enforce official appointments and decisions.
The controversy began after President Tinubu announced the appointment of former House of Representatives member Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas as the new Director-General of the BCDA, replacing Dakorinama Alabo George.
Despite the announcement, George reportedly continued to function as the agency’s chief executive, remained listed on the BCDA’s official website, and was said to have continued carrying out official duties, including attending meetings with government officials.
Reacting through his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the situation as an embarrassment, saying it casts doubt on the administration’s ability to implement its own directives.
According to him, the lingering dispute reflects increasing administrative confusion within the federal government and could negatively affect Nigeria’s image among investors and the international community.
Atiku questioned how a president could publicly appoint a new head of a federal agency while the person reportedly replaced continues to occupy the position and exercise authority without consequence.
He also argued that repeated controversies surrounding the Tinubu administration, including policy reversals, institutional disputes, and worsening economic conditions, have weakened public trust in the government.
The former vice president called on the Presidency to clarify the legal status of the BCDA leadership and ensure that the President’s directives are fully implemented. He further advised President Tinubu to focus on addressing Nigeria’s economic and governance challenges instead of preparing for the 2027 election.
Similarly, the ADC, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the BCDA controversy, alongside the earlier Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) issue and a series of policy reversals, suggests that unelected individuals may be influencing key presidential decisions.
The party called on the National Assembly to exercise its constitutional oversight powers to determine whether the President remains fully in control of the executive arm of government. It argued that if President Tinubu is unable to effectively exercise his constitutional authority, he should consider resigning.
According to the ADC, the BCDA dispute is more than a disagreement over an appointment, insisting it raises serious questions about who truly controls the Presidency. The party also expressed concern over repeated government policy reversals, saying they have created uncertainty for investors, public institutions, and Nigerians.
The party maintained that Nigerians deserve clear answers regarding who authorises appointments and whether presidential directives remain the final authority within the federal government.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency had not issued a fresh statement responding to Atiku’s remarks or the ongoing controversy surrounding the leadership of the Border Communities Development Agency.
