Fresh details have emerged on the power play that reportedly trailed the appointment of Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu , with sources alleging that influential Lagos political figures sidelined former Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, in the succession process.

Sources close to the Presidency that spoke with Sahara Reporters claimed that Akande, a long-time ally of President Bola Tinubu, was edged out after his preferred candidate, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Mustapha Adegoke Fayoade, was rejected for the top police job.

Insiders alleged that a powerful Lagos political bloc mounted intense pressure on the President to appoint Disu instead.

“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,”one source said.

The source added that Disu’s previous service as aide-de-camp to Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos governor was presented as a key selling point.

“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,”the source said.

Another insider alleged that political calculations extended to internal considerations within the Presidency.

“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 claimed.

It was further alleged that President Tinubu initially resisted Disu’s nomination.

“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.

According to another insider, the President eventually yielded after.

“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,”the source added.sustained pressure.

Egbetokun’s Alleged Last-minute Move

Sources also alleged that former IGP Kayode Egbetokun recommended Disu as successor shortly before his exit.

One of the sources said,“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.

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

“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.

“When Egbetokun tried to explain himself, the President did not give him a listening ear. DSS officials were signaled, and he was escorted out.”