The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has renewed its demand for President Bola Tinubu to dismiss his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, following allegations of corruption tied to a non-existent government agency. The opposition party, which is gaining traction ahead of the 2027 general elections, reiterated its position in a statement on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
Background of the Controversy
The controversy centers on Adeniyi Adeyemi, who has been parading himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an agency that the presidency has denied establishing. Adeyemi has circulated photos with prominent figures, but the presidency has disavowed him and confirmed that a lawsuit has been filed against him. The NDC has accused Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, of involvement in what it calls a “massive corruption scandal involving fake agency and sale of appointments.”
NDC’s Renewed Call
In a message addressed to President Tinubu on X (formerly Twitter), the NDC wrote: “Greetings, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT. This is a kind reminder that you are yet to act on our demands. Your Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is being accused of massive corruption, is still holding sway in that position.” The party has been pressing for Gbajabiamila’s removal for months, but the presidency has not responded publicly.
Public Reactions
The NDC’s renewed call has sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians on social media. A user identified as Fletcher criticized the party, saying: “You couldn't even suspend or sack your own social media handler after he openly declared he doesn't believe in your party's presidential candidate. Yet you're out here acting like the moral authority on party discipline. The hypocrisy is glaring.” Another user, Tosin, accused the NDC of being a weak opposition: “Weak opposition tweeting to a president who doesn't use X. You guys are not ready. Since it is easy to tweet from the comfort of your home, you can as well keep enjoying that comfort till 2031. If Tinubu and his previous co-traveller were only tweeting pre-2015, they wouldn't be anywhere now. The earlier you guys know the role of opposition and play your game well, the better. For now, all I see are lame noise makers.”
Sheyi expressed disappointment, stating: “Very weak opposition. Are you using X to demand your nonsense from the president? Can you write officially and mail it to Aso Rock? This kind of 'food is ready' kind of opposition is disappointing and weak. Learn opposition properly.” Adunbi advised the NDC to focus on internal issues: “Come, NDC, is Mr Femi Gbajabiamila your chief of staff or that of Mr President? Go and fix your deregulation issue.”
Impact and Next Steps
The NDC’s persistence highlights the growing political tension as the 2027 elections approach. The party has positioned itself as a key opposition force, but critics argue it lacks effective strategies beyond social media campaigns. The presidency has yet to comment on the renewed demand, and the lawsuit against Adeyemi is ongoing. The outcome could influence public perception of both the government and the opposition in the coming months.
