NIGERIA: Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations of a ₦400 million bribery scandal and institute an independent investigation into the matter.
Atiku made the call while reacting to allegations raised by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), who accused the Chief of Staff of demanding a ₦400 million bribe.
The former Vice President also questioned Gbajabiamila’s reported assertion that the PFIPC does not exist, arguing that such a claim raises fresh concerns over the allocation of ₦27.4 billion to the agency in the 2026 national budget.
According to Atiku, if the agency truly does not exist, it would cast serious doubt on the credibility of the budgetary process and demand immediate public scrutiny.
“How can ₦27.4 billion be allocated to a government agency that supposedly does not exist?” Atiku asked, adding that the explanation attributed to the Chief of Staff only deepens public concerns rather than resolving them.
He maintained that the controversy goes beyond the bribery allegation, describing the reported budgetary allocation as a matter of national importance that should not be dismissed without a thorough and transparent investigation.
Atiku urged President Tinubu to demonstrate his commitment to accountability by treating the allegations with the seriousness they deserve.
“Good governance is founded on transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. These principles cannot thrive if public officials are shielded from scrutiny because of political or personal relationships,” he said.
The ADC presidential candidate insisted that suspending the Chief of Staff pending the outcome of an independent investigation would reinforce public confidence in the administration’s commitment to fighting corruption and upholding due process.
He stressed that allegations involving public funds running into billions of naira should not be brushed aside, urging the President to allow the rule of law to take its full course.
