Stories By Ahmed Akanbi
The 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, pending an independent investigation into fresh corruption allegations against him.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Atiku Media Office, the former Vice President said Tinubu should emulate former President Muhammadu Buhari, who suspended the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, to allow an unhindered probe.
Atiku said the allegations contained in a report by The Gazette, accusing Gbajabiamila of diverting tens of billions of naira in oil and gas royalties, should not be dismissed or politicised.
”This issue goes beyond partisan politics; it is about the impunity of corruption that undermines the welfare and future of ordinary Nigerians,” he stated.
The ADC candidate accused the Tinubu administration of running a selective anti-corruption campaign by allegedly pursuing opposition figures while shielding government officials from scrutiny.
He argued that Gbajabiamila should be given the opportunity to clear his name through an independent investigation, insisting that no public official should be treated as untouchable.
Atiku maintained that Buhari’s decision to suspend Babachir during his administration set a precedent that must equally apply in the current case.
He further alleged that Gbajabiamila has faced several corruption-related accusations over the years and criticised what he described as the Federal Government’s handling of the controversies.
The latest allegations are linked to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an agency whose activities have previously generated public controversy.
The Presidency had earlier denied any wrongdoing by Gbajabiamila. President Tinubu also directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate issues surrounding the PFIPC.
The Chief of Staff has consistently denied involvement in the alleged scandal, and also instituted a N10 billion defamation suit against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who later withdrew some of the allegations made against him.