Former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Musa Daura, has declared that President Bola Tinubu is beatable in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that he knows the President personally and understands his political strengths and weaknesses.
Daura, who is the vice-presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), made the remarks on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Asked whether Tinubu could be defeated at the polls, Daura responded, “Very well,” arguing that the administration had made several mistakes that could work against the President in the 2027 election. 
The former intelligence chief also dismissed the perception that Tinubu was unfamiliar to him, saying their relationship extends beyond politics.
“President Bola Tinubu is not a stranger to me. Even though he is the President of the nation, he’s the leader, the Commander-in-Chief; in another class, we’re friends. We know ourselves very well,” he said.
Daura, however, cautioned that some claims and actions attributed to Tinubu did not necessarily reflect the President’s true position.
“There are lots of things being ascribed to him which he’s not,” he added.
‘I Took Bullets for Buhari’
Reflecting on his years in government, Daura said he still misses former President Muhammadu Buhari, under whom he served as DSS Director-General.
“I do miss Muhammadu Buhari. I took bullets for him,” he said, recalling the risks he faced while serving the former President.
Daura also criticised individuals he described as sycophants who surrounded Buhari, accusing them of betraying the former President’s trust and exploiting his administration.
“There were so many sycophants around Buhari; they betrayed the trust he gave them and took advantage of that government,” he said.
Why Makinde-Daura Ticket
Defending his partnership with Oyo State Governor and APM presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, Daura said the duo shared a common vision and understanding of the country’s challenges.
“We are a pair that seems to really understand each other; we share the same passion for this country,” he said.
Daura added that the ticket’s central message was to “reset” the country and chart a new direction for Nigeria.
His comments came shortly after the unveiling of Makinde’s presidential campaign office in Abuja.
The event was attended by several political figures, including former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.
Obi described Makinde as qualified to serve as President and urged Nigerians to freely choose their preferred candidate in the 2027 election.
He also called on political leaders to work together in the national interest, regardless of who eventually emerges victorious at the polls.
