Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate Seyi Makinde has selected former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) Lawal Musa Daura as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, replacing Ibrahim Adamu Bala. The announcement was made at the APM National Convention held at Rilwanu Adamu Square in Bauchi State on August 13, 2026, according to a report by Pointblank News citing a statement from Oyo State Commissioner for Information Dotun Oyelade.
Career in Intelligence and Security
Lawal Musa Daura was born on August 5, 1953, in Daura, Katsina State. He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, between 1977 and 1980 and later undertook professional training, including at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru. Daura joined Nigeria's intelligence service in 1982, when it was still operating under the National Security Organisation. Following the restructuring of the country's intelligence architecture in 1986, he continued his career in the State Security Service, now known as the DSS.
He rose through the ranks to become a director and served in several important postings across the country. Daura served at various times as State Director of Security in Kano, Sokoto, Edo, Lagos, Osun and Imo states. He was also Deputy Director of the Presidential Communication, Command and Control Centre at the Presidential Villa in Abuja between 2003 and 2007. These assignments meant that Daura had experience in both field intelligence operations and the security machinery surrounding the presidency. Daura eventually retired from the service in 2013 after reaching the statutory retirement age.
Return to Service and Tenure as DSS Boss
His retirement did not last long. On July 2, 2015, then-President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Daura Director-General of the State Security Service, replacing Ita Ekpeyong, whose tenure was terminated by Buhari. Daura's appointment took effect immediately. He headed the DSS during one of the most difficult periods in Nigeria's recent security history. The Boko Haram insurgency remained a major threat, while kidnapping, terrorism and other security challenges continued across the country. During his tenure, the DSS played a key role in the release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls in October 2016. The agency also led negotiations that helped secure the release of the Dapchi schoolgirls in 2018.
Controversies and End of Tenure
Daura's time at the DSS was also marked by a series of disputes involving other government institutions, politicians and the courts. Among the controversies reported during his tenure were the DSS's clashes with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), disputes over security provided to political figures, allegations concerning compliance with court orders, the agency's handling of Abdulrasheed Maina, and the withdrawal of security personnel attached to National Assembly leaders. Daura's time as DSS chief came to a dramatic end on August 7, 2018, when masked DSS operatives barricaded the National Assembly, preventing lawmakers, staff and journalists from entering the complex. The incident triggered national outrage and raised serious questions about the limits of the security agency's powers. Acting President Yemi Osinbajo subsequently terminated Daura's appointment with immediate effect and ordered him to hand over to the most senior officer in the service. Daura was also arrested and questioned over the incident.
An interim police investigation led by then Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris accused Daura of acting unilaterally in ordering the National Assembly blockade and suggested that he might have been acting on behalf of “some highly placed politicians” pursuing selfish political goals. Daura's reported explanation was that he had acted on intelligence about plans to smuggle dangerous weapons into the National Assembly, but the police report said the intelligence could not be substantiated. The DSS subsequently denied reports that cash, weapons or permanent voter cards had been recovered from Daura's residence, describing circulating videos making such claims as false.
Move into Politics and Selection as Running Mate
After leaving the DSS, Daura largely stayed away from electoral politics for several years. That changed in 2026 when he entered the race for the Katsina governorship under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He presented insecurity and the country's broader leadership problems as key reasons for entering politics. Daura eventually lost the ADC governorship ticket to Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita. However, he disputed the suggestion that losing the primary was the reason for his departure from the party. He subsequently left the ADC and joined the APM in August 2026. Daura said his decision to enter politics was driven by concern about Nigeria rather than personal ambition. He also criticised dishonesty and deception in politics and said he wanted to contribute to changing the country.
Makinde said Daura's experience as a former intelligence chief would bring relevant expertise to his campaign and proposed administration, particularly in tackling Nigeria's security problems. The Oyo governor has made insecurity one of the central issues of his presidential campaign, and selecting a former head of Nigeria's domestic intelligence service gives his ticket a candidate with direct experience in national security. As the 2027 election campaign develops, Daura's experience, particularly on security, could become one of the strongest selling points of the Makinde ticket.
