Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, following serious allegations of bribery and budgetary fraud. Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 elections, urged Tinubu to demonstrate leadership by holding his appointees accountable.
Allegations Against Gbajabiamila
The controversy erupted after Adeniyi Adeyemi, the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), accused Gbajabiamila of demanding and receiving bribes. At a press conference, Adeyemi claimed that Gbajabiamila received N400 million through a proxy and demanded an additional N200 million to secure his appointment. Furthermore, Adeyemi alleged that Gbajabiamila sought 48 per cent of the PFIPC's N27.4 billion take-off grant, a demand he said he rejected.
Gbajabiamila, in a June 11 statement, denied the existence of the PFIPC under President Tinubu's administration and asserted that Adeyemi had never been appointed to head it. Adeyemi described the denial as an attempt to silence legitimate questions, linking it to his refusal to comply with the alleged demands.
Atiku's Response and Demand for Investigation
Atiku expressed deep concern over the allegations, questioning how a government agency that supposedly does not exist could have N27.4 billion allocated in the budget. He stated that this alleged colossal budgetary fraud cannot be ignored and must be thoroughly investigated.
In a statement released by his media office on Tuesday, June 30, Atiku said: "Good governance is based on transparency and accountability, and you can’t achieve that by protecting your family and friends. President Tinubu must lead by example by holding his Chief of Staff to the same standards of accountability as other public officials. N27 billion is not a joke."
Atiku recommended that Gbajabiamila be suspended pending an independent investigation to establish the truth about what he termed a national scandal. He emphasized that the rule of law must prevail and urged Tinubu to prove his commitment to accountability.
Background and Context
The allegations come amid a dispute over the existence and funding of the PFIPC. Gbajabiamila's denial of the agency's existence has raised further questions about the budgetary process. Atiku noted that the explanation attributed to the Chief of Staff had created fresh credibility concerns for the federal government.
This is not the first time Gbajabiamila has faced scrutiny. Earlier reports indicated that he signaled the administration's readiness to reopen negotiations on the N70,000 national minimum wage, stating that it no longer reflects current economic realities.
Political Implications
The call for Gbajabiamila's suspension adds to the political pressure on President Tinubu, who has pledged to fight corruption. Atiku's statement underscores the opposition's focus on accountability within the administration. The ADC chieftain maintained that the allegations must be addressed transparently to restore public trust.
As the controversy unfolds, all eyes are on President Tinubu's response. The demand for an independent investigation and suspension of a top presidential aide represents a significant test of the administration's anti-corruption stance.
