Adegboyega Fasasi, Chief Security Officer (CSO) to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, is making headlines after refusing to follow a redeployment order from the Department of State Services (DSS). This directive, issued on October 20 by DSS Director General Tosin Ajayi, instructed Fasasi to leave his position at Aso Rock Villa. However, Fasasi has chosen to stay, allegedly with the backing of influential state governors and other high-ranking individuals.

According to sources within the presidency, these powerful figures are said to be supporting Fasasi financially. The support reportedly ensures that these officials maintain access to President Tinubu. Inside sources claim that Fasasi has even been accused of accepting bribes to control who can and cannot see the President, adding to the ongoing controversy.

One of the sources who spoke with SaharaReporters disclosed, “There is a lot of pressure by governors and influential people from whom he has collected money to keep him, saying that he has to be there. We can confirm from Villa that the CSO refused to leave.

“He’s accused of shaking down people to visit Tinubu. The logic of those supporting his stay is weird. They claim that if he leaves, they will have to bribe the new person afresh to have access to Tinubu.”

Another insider mentioned that some political forces are negotiating for Fasasi to step down in December, though this remains unofficial. Initially, the DSS appointed Rasheed Atanda Lawal, a deputy director at DSS who is currently attending a security studies course, to replace Fasasi.

The situation reportedly began when DSS leadership proposed that Fasasi take a “strategic course,” which would have led to his reassignment. While this reason is often used to replace key security staff, Fasasi’s refusal highlights the power dynamics within Nigeria’s political and security landscape. For now, he remains in office, symbolizing the complex ties between Nigeria’s security forces and political elites.