Wike’s Ally Vs Namdas: Leadership Tussle Paralyses BCDA, Delays ₦10 Billion Allocation

The leadership crisis rocking the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) has reportedly stalled the release of a ₦10 billion allocation approved for the agency, leaving its operations largely paralysed.

The Federal Ministry of Finance said public funds could only be released after all statutory and administrative requirements had been satisfied, particularly where questions existed over the leadership of a government agency.

The Director of Press and Public Relations at the ministry, Efe Ovuakporie, stated this while responding to inquiries from Sunday PUNCH.

“The Ministry of Finance cannot and will not comment on the internal administrative process of the BCDA,” she said.

“On the issue of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy reportedly withholding funds, you should understand that as a matter of due process, the ministry takes appropriate steps to ensure that all statutory and administrative requirements are satisfied before the release of public funds.”

Ovuakporie added that where disputes existed over the leadership or governance of an agency, it was necessary to resolve them before funds were released.

“Where there are issues requiring clarification regarding the leadership or governance of any agency, it is only prudent that such matters are resolved to ensure accountability and the proper application of public resources,” she said.

The ministry spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied that the ₦10bn had formally been blocked.

She also did not disclose the specific administrative requirements the BCDA had yet to satisfy.

A source familiar with the matter, however, said ₦10bn had been approved for release before the payment was halted because of the ongoing dispute.

“The media reports on the matter made the minister stop the payment because evidently, there is a problem. Activities at the BCDA are now paralysed,” the source said.

The controversy began after President Bola Tinubu announced the appointment of former House of Representatives spokesman, Abdulrazak Namdas, as Director-General of the BCDA on June 26.

The announcement, made through the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that Namdas would replace Dr Dakorinama George, who had reportedly resigned to pursue elective office in Rivers State.

George, however, disputed the claim that he resigned and continued to perform official duties at the agency.

George, an ally to the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has maintained that he only withdrew from the Rivers State governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and that the announcement of his replacement was an “error” that was subsequently corrected.

The Presidency has rejected that position and maintained that Namdas remains the duly appointed head of the agency.

Despite the presidential announcement, George has continued to attend meetings in his capacity as head of the BCDA.

He recently met with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, where he reportedly appealed for timely budget releases and drew attention to the agency’s ₦50bn allocation in the 2026 budget.

The continued activities of both camps have fuelled uncertainty within the agency and raised questions about who possesses the authority to approve financial and administrative decisions.

Sources have also alleged that powerful political interests are supporting George’s continued stay in office, though those claims have not been independently verified.

The BCDA was established under the Border Communities Development Agency Act to improve living conditions in more than 3,000 communities located along Nigeria’s international borders.

The communities are spread across 105 local government areas in 21 states.

The agency is responsible for providing infrastructure and social amenities, including roads, schools, healthcare facilities and water projects.