EXCLUSIVE: How Lagos Power Bloc Sidelined Ex-APC National Chair Akande, Pressured Tinubu To Appoint Disu As Acting IGP –Sources

Sources close to the Presidency told SaharaReporters that Akande, a long-time ally of President Bola Tinubu, was reportedly humiliated after Lagos power brokers rejected his preferred candidate, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Mustapha Adegoke Fayoade, for the top police position.

Powerful political figures from Lagos, often referred to as the ‘Lagos Boys,’ reportedly sidelined former Osun State Governor Chief Bisi Akande in the contested succession process following the forced retirement of former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.

Sources close to the Presidency told SaharaReporters that Akande, a long-time ally of President Bola Tinubu, was reportedly humiliated after Lagos power brokers rejected his preferred candidate, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Mustapha Adegoke Fayoade, for the top police position.

Insiders said the Lagos caucus instead applied intense pressure on the President to appoint Assistant Inspector-General Tunji Disu as the new Inspector-General of Police. 

According to one of the sources, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Principal Secretary to President Tinubu, worked behind the scenes to promote Disu’s appointment without informing First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who had played a key role in Egbetokun’s earlier appointment and could have influenced her husband’s decision.

“Chief Bisi Akande and Mustapha Adegoke Fayoade are from the same town, Ila-Orangun. The ‘Lagos Boys’ believe Fayoade would naturally be loyal to Akande and not to them. So, they moved swiftly to get Disu in behind First Lady,” the source said.

“You know Disu claims Lagos State (as his state of origin). They argued that while Fayoade served as ADC to Chief Bisi Akande when he was Osun governor, Disu once served as ADC to Tinubu when he was Lagos governor. That was the major selling point.”

Another source revealed that members of the Lagos political circle, including the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, viewed Akande as overly rigid and overly insistent on protocol.

“They said Baba Akande’s problem is too much, that he always wants protocol strictly observed. Oluremi Tinubu wants a competent person since the saga of Egbetokun and his son. Meanwhile, the President was not happy about the development,” the source added.

Sources identified other influential members of the so-called ‘Lagos Boys’ faction, including Hakeem Muri-Okunola; Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II; Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, Senior Special Assistant to the President and Commissioner of Police; and CP Usman Musa Shugaba, Chief Personal Security Officer to President Tinubu.

Another senior source revealed that President Tinubu initially resisted the nomination of Disu for the top police position.

“The President kicked against it at first. He said there would still be controversy over another ‘illegal IGP’ because Disu is due to retire in April. He said he doesn’t want more pressure from Nigerians,” the source said.

“Disu and Egbetokun were not on good terms. That was why Egbetokun deployed him to Lagos. But within 72 hours, things changed.”

“When Egbetokun realised that the President was about to sack him, he recommended Disu because he believed no one else would be able to clean up his mess. Disu had begun consolidating support and meeting key stakeholders, including the Oba of Lagos. Because Disu is loyal to the Lagos bloc, they pushed him forward ahead of a more highly ranked and qualified officer,” the source said.

The source added, “Disu did not deserve the IGP position; everybody knows that, including the President. But pressure came from his loyalists despite knowing that Disu is retiring next month. The President had settled on former AIG Zone 2, Mustapha Adegoke Fayoade. Oluremi also wanted him. 

“But as of Monday evening, around 6:30 p.m., Disu’s name was hurriedly sent to the DSS (Department of State Services) after overwhelming pressure from Lagos stakeholders who insisted that they have been with the President from day one and that an outsider cannot take the slot.”

Another insider said the President warned of political consequences.

“The President insisted that public opinion will speak and elections are coming. He said Nigerians will fight back if they see it as injustice. But he was overwhelmed with arguments that Fayoade may not bow to political pressure. That weakened his resistance.”

Meanwhile, sources detailed the dramatic exit of Egbetokun, alleging that he recommended Disu as his successor to protect his interests.

According to insiders, he arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 4 a.m. on Monday in a last-minute attempt to retain his position.

“Egbetokun needed someone to cover up his mess because he knew there would be auditing after his tenure in office, and he did not want to be investigated by the EFCC. So, he hurriedly recommended Disu, whom he trusts to clean up for him,” one of the sources said. 

“He came very early to plead with the President to allow him continue. But the President turned against him and told him to resign,” the source continued.

“He was also humiliated. Recall that some foreign dignitaries visited the President in Aso Rock last week, and around the same period, SaharaReporters published a story about Egbetokun and his son. The matter was tabled before the President, and he felt very embarrassed.”

According to the source, “when Egbetokun tried to explain himself, the President did not give him a listening ear”. 

“DSS officials were signaled, and he was escorted out,” the source added.