Following some indications which recently emerged that the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, might lose his position, intense lobbying for the chairmanship of the commission has been heightened.
The Herald gathered that lobbyists seeking to get their nominee to replace acting EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu, have recommended two Commissioners of Police (CPs) for the position.
A source said influential individuals have brought the names of the two CPs (names withheld) to the Villa on many occasions for the President’s consideration.
The source said: “It is an open secret in the Villa that those against Magu have not relented. They took the two CPs to an Emir, asking him to prevail on the President to choose one of them as Magu’s replacement.
“But the royal father declined and politely told them to take the gentlemen to the President themselves since they also have access to him.
“But the President is taking his time on the matter. He is not unmindful of the stellar performance of the EFCC under the watch of Magu in terms of remarkable convictions and recoveries of stolen assets.”
Also. a governor, who spoke in confidence, said: “There is no doubt about it, the acting chairman of EFCC has done well, but the problem with Magu is that he does not appreciate that he is working in a political environment.
“If there are delicate issues at hand, Magu proves difficult. Fighting corruption in an environment like this requires some tact and diplomacy. The EFCC chairman has not been sparing those who are even making a strong case for his substantive appointment.”
President Buhari is, however, keeping his decision on Magu to his chest while his body language is giving sleepless nights to the arrowheads behind the plot to remove Magu.
But Buhari may have to take a decision on Magu on or before December 4 when the Federal High Court in Abuja will deliver judgement on the consolidated suits challenging the continued stay of Magu.
If President Buhari decides Magu’s fate before December 4, he would have beaten the court to it and make the judgment an academic exercise.
Magu was appointed by President Buhari on November 9, 2015. But the Eighth Senate under former Senate President Bukola Saraki twice declined to confirm his nomination.