By Chuks Akunna
When on August 26, 2024, President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi as the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), I got tons of calls from several serving and retired officers of the Service. The calls were two-pronged – congratulatory; and “to pray that your friend delivers.”
To say that expectations were high was a huge understatement. Ever since President Tinubu assumed office, several security officers, especially those from the DSS would call, demanding: “why hasn’t the President appointed your friend as DG?” as if it was in my power to make the appointment. They would argue that the DSS was in urgent need of reforms and that, in their estimation, only Tosin Ajayi had the experience, capacity and courage to do the job.
To say that Tosin Ajayi was, at the time of his appointment, the most popular serving Director was stating the obvious. There was virtually no operative – no matter how new in the Service – who didn’t know “Oga Tosin,” the no-nonsense Director known for his iconoclastic views on how the secret police should be run. I was regaled with stories of how he would confront his superiors – of course, with superior ideas – on how certain operations should be conducted. In no time, this earned him the sobriquet “Area boy!”
Undoubtedly, the burden of expectation on me was enormous. It was as if it was me who had been appointed DG. With my nearly three decades of practice as a journalist, I’ve seen many “friends” get appointed into key positions. Some of them under-performed. Others not only disappointed themselves, but embarrassed their families.
Eight months after Ajayi’s appointment, I’m proud to say that, not only has he changed the face of the DSS, he’s become a compass for his colleague-security chiefs.
I first met Tosin Ajayi on the night of Wednesday April 5, 2006. Time was about 9pm. The setting was the entrance to Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Sheraton Hotels and Towers (as it was then known). As a reporter covering the House of Representatives for THISDAY newspapers, I was privileged to know several influential members of the House. What is more, I had just returned from my “Sabbatical leave” from serving as the Chief Press Secretary to Anambra State governor, Dr. Chris Ngige, OON. The appointment had afforded me the rare privilege of rubbing shoulders with the high and mighty – in some cases, earning their trust.
This trust helped propel my career as a reporter. Many would call to give me “scoops” which ultimately earned me front page stories. President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Third Term agenda was just heating up, and THISDAY newspapers had more than a passing interest in the matter. This interest led me to House members I knew were neck-deep in the opposition to Obasanjo’s agenda.
For the sake of this tribute, I’ll single out Hon. Temi Harriman, who represented Warri Federal Constituency under the umbrella of the now defunct All Peoples Party (APP). Also in this league was Hon. Francis Amadiegwu, who returned from the United States to represent Ehime/Mbano/Ihitte-Uboma/Obowo federal constituency in Imo State under the umbrella of the People’s Democractic Party (PDP).
While, as a member of the opposition APP, it was easy to understand the stance of Hon. Temi Harriman, Hon. Amadiegwu’s anti-Third term stance was puzzling. He was a member of Obasanjo’s ruling PDP, and easily could have held his peace and negotiated an automatic return ticket. He elected to confront Obasanjo.
It was the duo of Harriman and Amadiegwu who informed a few reporters that anti-Third term federal lawmakers would be meeting with Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, some governors and top politicians at the Sheraton Hotels.
When I arrived at the entrance to the Ladi Kwali Hall of the hotel, I spotted Hon. Amadiegwu in a very heated verbal exchange with persons I suspected were DSS operatives. Not too far away was the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Lawrence Alobi. Hon. Amadiegwu was trying to force his way into the hall. Standing in his way were the DSS operatives. Instantly, I joined the fray, aligning with Hon. Amadiegwu. From a corner of the hall one operative emerged, telling me that his boss sent him to call me. “Tell him to come here if he wants to speak with me,” I barked. Apparently, his boss heard me. Moments later, a man emerged, shook me, and politely introduced himself as the “team leader” or so. That man turned out to be Tosin Ajayi. .
“My brother,” he began, “I’m very sorry what just happened.” Our conversation was interrupted by the arrival of General Buhari and Alhaji Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta who passed away in 2021.
The “team leader” walked up to the duo, and after briefly addressing them, they left.
Mr. Ajayi retuned to me, and facing Hon. Amadiegwu, said, “see, that’s a former Head of State and a former Inspector General of Police.”
He continued, “You think I’m happy to leave my family this cold night to be running after politicians who do not mean well for this country? I was sent here by my superiors to stop them from using this hall.
“As a former Head of State and as a former IG, they received the message with an open mind, fully aware that I was carrying out orders. this Honourable (Amadiegwu) didn’t seem to understand, reason he’s fighting my boys. I’m also aware that there are several other hotels and venues in Abuja they can meet. It must not be here.
“We are reaping from the obnoxious laws and policies our past leaders made while in office. This is why we have to make this country a better place for all to live so that we can benefit in and out of office,” he declared.
Mr. Ajayi further stated that, while they, as security men were securing the society with guns, the media was playing its role using the pen. “And you know that the pen is mightier than the sword,” he quipped. This was the first time I heard a security operative speak so frankly. That was how we became friends.
It was months later that I learnt that my friend wasn’t just a “team leader,” but the Assistant Director in charge of internal security class.
Later that night, Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Buhari, Governors Bola Tinubu, Orji Kalu, Boni Haruna and Abdulkadir Kure of Lagos, Abia, Adamawa and Niger States respectively, as well as anti-Third term lawmakers, met at the Niger Governor’s lodge in Asokoro, and effectively killed Obasanjo’s Third term project.
After Obasanjo came Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. The period saw Tosin Ajayi moving from state to state. Before that, something remarkable happened when he began his career in the old Bendel State. To begin with, he was one of the youngest in his set and the most brilliant. I understand that most members of his nearly100-strong set used to bully him, calling him “baby of the class.”
Even while bullying “Baby Tosin,” most of his classmates knew that he was exceptional, offered one retired director.
