A leadership dispute has broken out at the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) after reports emerged that Dr. Dakorinama Alabo George continues to operate as the agency’s chief despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of former House of Representatives spokesman Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas as his replacement. The Presidency has maintained that Namdas remains the substantive appointee.
Questions are mounting over leadership at the Border Communities Development Agency after conflicting claims surfaced regarding who currently heads the federal agency.
Although the Presidency announced Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas as the new head of the BCDA weeks ago, reports indicate that outgoing Executive Secretary Dr. Dakorinama Alabo George has continued to perform official duties from the agency’s headquarters, raising concerns over compliance with the presidential directive.
President Tinubu announced Namdas’ appointment on June 27, stating that he would replace Dr. Dakorinama Alabo George, who was said to have resigned to pursue elective political office ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, multiple reports indicate that George never formally vacated the office and has continued attending official engagements and conducting activities in his capacity as head of the agency.
His profile also reportedly remained on the agency’s official website as Executive Secretary days after the appointment announcement.
Amid reports suggesting George had been quietly reinstated, the Presidency dismissed the claims.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga insisted that Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas remains the duly appointed head of the BCDA and described reports of George’s reappointment as false.
According to reports, George also maintained that he never formally resigned from office, arguing that although he initially indicated interest in contesting elective office, he eventually withdrew before the primary election.
The controversy has drawn political attention because George previously served as Commissioner for Works in Rivers State under former Governor Nyesom Wike and later under Governor Siminalayi Fubara before joining the federal agency.
Observers say the dispute has further fueled conversations about political influence within federal appointments as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
With two conflicting narratives surrounding the agency’s leadership, attention is now focused on whether the Presidency or the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation will take additional administrative steps to end the uncertainty. Until then, the BCDA leadership dispute is likely to remain under close public and political scrutiny.