A leadership dispute has reportedly emerged at the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), with conflicting claims over who currently heads the federal agency despite an official announcement by the Presidency naming a new chief executive.

The controversy centres on former Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr. Dakorinama Alabo George, who is alleged to have continued operating as the agency’s Executive Secretary despite his replacement by former House of Representatives spokesman, Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas.

The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of appointments within government agencies following the recent controversy surrounding the disputed Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

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President Bola Tinubu had earlier directed all political appointees intending to contest elective offices in the 2027 general elections to resign from their positions on or before March 31, 2026.

George reportedly resigned to pursue the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Rivers State, where he joined other aspirants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Kingsley Chinda and Tonye Cole.

Subsequently, the Presidency, in a statement issued on June 26 by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas as the new head of the BCDA.

The statement noted that Namdas replaced George following his resignation to seek elective office.

A former member of the House of Representatives representing Ganye/Jada/Mayo Belwa/Toungo Federal Constituency in Adamawa State, Namdas previously served as spokesperson of the 8th House of Representatives and was also a governorship aspirant in Adamawa State.

The Presidency stated that all appointments took immediate effect.

Despite the presidential announcement, reports indicate that George has continued to function as the agency’s chief executive.

According to sources familiar with developments at the agency, George allegedly retained control of the office after withdrawing from the APC governorship race and did not formally hand over to any successor.

The report further claimed that he has continued to preside over official activities within the agency while maintaining possession of official property.

George, who was reportedly screened and cleared as one of the APC governorship aspirants in Rivers State, eventually withdrew from the contest before the primary election, paving the way for another candidate.

Sources alleged that after abandoning his governorship ambition, he returned to the BCDA and resumed official duties.

Some insiders also claimed that George enjoys the backing of influential political figures who are allegedly seeking to ensure he remains in office despite the presidential appointment of Namdas.

Following reports on social media suggesting that President Tinubu had reversed George’s replacement, Onanuga dismissed the claims, insisting that no such decision had been taken.

Responding to inquiries, the presidential spokesman stated unequivocally that Namdas remains the substantive head of the agency.

“Not true. Namdas stays,” Onanuga said.

George, in an earlier WhatsApp response to inquiries, maintained that he never resigned from office, arguing that although he initially indicated interest in contesting the governorship election, he eventually withdrew before the party primaries.

“The Presidency, through the office of the SGF, will be in a better place to answer you. At no time did I resign. I never contested because I withdrew from the race before the primaries,” he reportedly wrote before later deleting the message.

He subsequently declined to respond to further enquiries.

Adding to the uncertainty, the BCDA’s official website still lists George as the agency’s serving Executive Secretary, even weeks after the Presidency announced Namdas’ appointment.

George has also reportedly continued to attend official government engagements.

Among his recent appearances was a meeting with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, during which discussions focused on budget releases for the agency. Photographs of the meeting were later shared on social media.

The conflicting claims have fueled questions about the implementation of presidential appointments and administrative oversight within federal agencies, with observers calling for greater clarity to prevent further uncertainty over the leadership of the Border Communities Development Agency.