One man who was 99.99% certain of being appointed national security adviser (NSA) by President Muhammadu Buhari was Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau — until two weeks ago when his stock began to fall.

Dambazau, who was removed as chief of army staff and then retired as a lieutenant general in 2010 by former President Goodluck Jonathan, was one person whose appointment was thought to be a mere formality.

He was, in other words, the NSA-in-waiting and he was already behaving like one.

But Buhari surprisingly appointed Babagana Monguno, a retired major general, as NSA in the much-awaited shake-up of his security cabinet on Monday.

Presidential sources told TheCable that the case against Dambazau started building up a few weeks ago as Buhari began to finalise his list for the key security appointments.

One of the sources said: “Buhari initially wanted Ibrahim Coomassie, former inspector general of police, as NSA, but so much argument was made about Coomassie’s age. He is just 69, but it seems those who made that argument carried the day.
“That is how Dambazau moved to the top of the list as the favourite. However, several issues came up in the process of taking a final decision. One, Buhari does not want any officer who has held positions that exposed them to a lot of money. As it were, he wanted ‘innocent’ military officers to spearhead his security agenda. If you look at the new appointments, most of the security chiefs have never held what we call ‘plum’ positions in Nigeria.

“Buhari wants to re-professionalise the military. Those who have had questions asked about their past stewardship eventually fell down the list. He liked Dambazau a lot but he could not dismiss the case against him.”

Also, his tenure in the army was reviewed and some of the facts that emerged did not do him any favours.

“The Boko Haram insurgency budded under his watch as army chief, with Gen. Sarki Mukhtar as NSA. The No. 1 security priority of Buhari is to tackle Boko Haram. Dambazau’s CV was not glittering in that aspect. It was going to be a questionable appointment,” the source added.

Another presidential source said Buhari would still accommodate the retired general from Kano, who was the first chief of army staff to hold a PhD when former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua appointed him in 2009.
“The fact that Dambazau did not get the NSA position does not mean he has been blacklisted by Buhari. He is still highly regarded. But you cannot question the choice of Gen. Babagana Monguno as the NSA. He comes highly recommended and he has an enviable record. He is upright.

“He was unfairly retired because Jonathan wanted to make Gen. Kenneth Minimah army chief. So Minimah’s mates and seniors had to go. It was not as if Monguno did anything wrong or was found wanting,” the source added.

Dambazau’s failure to get the NSA slot was all the more shocking because he seemed primed to play the role right from the campaign days.

He was the head of the security committee of the APC campaign organisation, and was always around Buhari in the days leading to the May 29 inauguration as well as after the president assumed office.

Dambazau toured Aso Rock together with Buhari in the last days of Jonathan, and appeared prominently in all the pictures.
He also travelled with Buhari to the G7 summit in Bavaria, Germany, on June 7 — before travelling with him to Johannesburg, South Africa, for the 25th African Union summit.

TheCable understands that he played a major role in the security arrangements for Buhari, including the appointment of Muhammed Lawal Abubakar, a lieutenant colonel, as ADC to the president.

Dambazau also prayed regularly with Buhari at the state house mosque.
https://www.thecable.ng/exclusive-dambazau-lost-nsa-race

CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS NSA BROUHAHA TO BE OVER..



GOODNIGHT NAIRALAND FAMILY...

The guy is a desperado and that kind of person is not the type Buhari should have around him. Simply because you hide under Buhari won't change your corrupt records and same goes for all other politicians.

He can go to hell !

With Buhari, its not by praying or Eating together, its by working the Work

Ok so mr Dbz has missed out..may b d position of minister of defence is speared for him..

hmm.as d saying goes,u be my paddy no mean say u be my paddy of life.

[deleted]

[size=18pt]Rubbish.

Buhari rescinded his choice of Dambazau because of his role in drafting Hausa Fulani Muslim soldeirs in reprisal attacks against the Berom people of Jos.

Dambazau is a boko confirm.[/size]

OK. seeennn

This should tell u that the ministerial list will be a shocker!

So the northern rule continues

Ok

Wetin concern me

Haha

My favorite is Major General BURANTASHI. But why is he named so?

Tune in to 102.1 fm
To listen to radio Biafra
How can Buhari allowed a woman
To lie to him.
May chukwuabiama punish them

As long as Nigeria is made better....

[color=#990000][/color] ;Who is Damboroba pls?

Never heard of him

Honestly I kept wandering why..

in other news...
Buy properties

Big big talk

BIGERBOY1:
This should tell u that the ministerial list will be a shocker!

Ango Abdullahi will make the cut.

That won't shock me.

Errrrrrrrrrrrr.

To serve Nig is not by FORCE .We desire upright men/woman in sensitive position not people with questionable character

After having so many enemies and then this news gets to dem, They will he like...

We have to contend with new conspiracies from the stable of daura dullard_. Can you ssschildreen of hate and anger tell daura dullard_ that the dollar exchanges for 241 now? When will he reverse this trend to $1 = #1?

.

Eeyah.Ko pele ooo