IBADAN / ABUJA, NIGERIA — SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 — Severe public criticism and political backlash have intensified following the selection of former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Musa Daura, as the vice-presidential running mate to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde, contesting under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) ticket, unveiled Daura during the party’s national convention in Bauchi, asserting that the former intelligence chief was intentionally brought onboard to tackle the country’s worsening security situation.
Controversial History Resurfaces
The announcement has re-ignited fierce public debate regarding Daura’s past conduct while heading the secret police during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Public commentator and political analyst Lere Olayinka—who was recently booted off the Arise TV set mid-interview after insulting co-anchor Rufai Oseni and refusing to answer questions on air—openly questioned the alliance. Olayinka recalled Daura’s controversial role in the August 2018 armed siege on the National Assembly, when hooded DSS operatives blockaded the complex and prevented lawmakers from accessing the legislative chambers, leading to Daura’s immediate dismissal by then-acting President Yemi Osinbajo. Mocking the partnership, Olayinka suggested that pairing a self-styled democratic reformer with a former security chief linked to executive overreach raises fundamental questions about the coalition’s integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
APM Defends Strategic Security Partnership
Defending the joint ticket, representatives for the APM and the Makinde campaign maintain that Daura’s deep administrative experience within the national security apparatus remains a vital asset to restructure Nigeria’s security framework.
During recent public engagements following their unveiling, Daura rejected the criticisms, stating that he and Makinde share a joint vision to “reset the country” and offer Nigerians a credible, outcome-oriented alternative in 2027.
