The delay has fuelled uncertainty within the agency, with the immediate past chief executive, Dr Dakorinama George, continuing to oversee official activities despite a presidential announcement that named Namdas as his replacement.
President Tinubu announced Namdas’ appointment on June 26 through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The statement said Namdas would replace George, who had resigned to pursue elective office in Rivers State, adding that the appointment took immediate effect. Despite the announcement, Namdas has yet to assume office because the formal appointment letter required for his resumption has not been issued.
Meanwhile, George has continued to represent the agency at official engagements, including a recent meeting with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, where discussions centred on funding for border community projects and proposed investments.
The situation has raised questions over who currently holds lawful authority to lead the agency. Reacting to the development, All Progressives Congress chieftain Hamman Yero criticised the delay, arguing that once the President approves an appointment, implementation should proceed without obstruction.
He questioned why the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) had yet to release Namdas’ appointment letter, saying any delay in carrying out presidential directives raises constitutional and administrative concerns.
According to him, presidential approvals are typically transmitted through the Office of the Chief of Staff before the Secretary to the Government of the Federation completes the formal appointment process. Yero also dismissed reports suggesting George had been reinstated, insisting that the Presidency’s public announcement remains the only valid directive.
The BCDA leadership crisis has drawn comparisons with the leadership dispute that affected the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) in 2023, when conflicting announcements over the office of the Postmaster-General created uncertainty before the Presidency reaffirmed its earlier appointment.
Sources familiar with developments at BCDA alleged that George resumed activities at the agency after failing to secure the APC governorship ticket in Rivers State. One senior official, who requested anonymity, claimed the former chief executive returned without a formal handover process.
The source also alleged that George enjoys political backing within the administration because of his previous working relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, under whom he served as Rivers State Commissioner for Works.
However, the allegation could not be independently verified. An associate of the minister dismissed suggestions that Wike influenced developments at the agency, describing such claims as mere speculation. Responding to the controversy, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga maintained that President Tinubu had not reversed the appointment.
He said Namdas remains the President’s choice to head the agency, explaining that the responsibility for issuing the formal appointment letter lies with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Onanuga, however, declined to comment on the reasons behind the delay.
Officials of the OSGF also did not provide an immediate explanation. The Head of Information and Public Relations, Christopher Ugwuegbulam, requested a formal enquiry before commenting, while the SGF’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, said he had no information on the matter.
Efforts to obtain a response from George were unsuccessful as calls and messages sent to him were not returned. Legal and governance experts say the BCDA leadership crisis underscores broader concerns about the implementation of presidential appointments.
Constitutional lawyer Suraj Bamidele noted that while the President possesses the constitutional authority to appoint and remove heads of federal agencies, delays in implementing such decisions could create legal uncertainty over official actions taken during the transition period.
Public affairs analyst Sunday Awosika described the situation as troubling for public administration, arguing that government institutions should operate under clear lines of authority once presidential appointments have been publicly announced.
Another analyst, Abdulrasaq Rasheed, attributed the controversy to apparent coordination challenges within government, particularly regarding the respective responsibilities of the Chief of Staff and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in implementing presidential decisions. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also reacted to the controversy, describing the situation as evidence of deeper governance concerns.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party argued that repeated controversies surrounding presidential appointments raise questions about executive coordination and called on relevant constitutional institutions to examine the matter. The party maintained that if reports surrounding the BCDA leadership crisis prove accurate, they reflect broader concerns about the implementation of presidential directives within the Federal Government.
